Michael Daniell

Michael obtained his BE (Hons) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Auckland University, where he is now a Council Member. Shortly after, he joined a tiny division of Fisher & Paykel Industries which was developing ventilation systems for hospital patients with serious respiratory issues.

In the first years, Michael jointly developed five patented technologies relating to humidifiers and control systems, one of these with Lewis Gradon who has recently succeeded him as MD at what is now Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

In 1990 he was appointed General Manager of the Fisher & Paykel Medical division, and in 2001 became the CEO and MD of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare when the company was listed.

So, 37 years after starting with one room and five or six staff, Mike has built Fisher & Paykel Healthcare into a worldwide leader in the treatment of sleep apnea and non-invasive, humidified ventilation systems. Since listing, revenue has increased 450% and the company now boasts two state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in New Zealand and Mexico. It exports to 120+ countries and employs 3500 staff globally.

Among many other awards during his tenure, recent highlights include Fisher & Paykel Healthcare receiving both the Exporter of the Year 2015. Personally, Michael was recognised as the Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year in 2013, and received the INFINZ Leadership Award in 2015.

Michael’s exceptional corporate leadership and the huge contribution he has made to both New Zealand business innovation and the lives of so many people with respiratory problems worldwide, in our view, puts him in a league of his own and is the reason why we chose him as our 2016 Beacon Award winner.

On a personal level, Michael enjoys tramping and photography. This will be apparent in the cartoon that was presented to him which has been placed on the NZSA website.