Further Strengthens Management Team,
Adding Andrea Paine as
Director, Québec Affairs
TSXV: ACB
VANCOUVER, May 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the
"Company" or "Aurora") (TSXV: ACB) (OTCQX: ACBFF) (Frankfurt: 21P; WKN: A1C4WM) announced that
effective today, Glen Ibbott has
been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Amy Stephenson who has acted as the Company's
Interim CFO since August, 2016. Mrs. Stephenson will continue to
work with Aurora on a part-time basis to ensure a smooth
transition. Additionally, the Company announced the appointment of
Andrea Paine as its Director, Québec
Affairs.
Chief Financial Officer
Glen Ibbott is a seasoned senior
healthcare executive with over 20 years' experience providing
financial leadership to various public entities, including
management of Canadian and international capital market strategies,
M&A, tax and finance, predominantly within the life sciences
sector. An innovative, decisive, and insightful professional, he
has excelled in delivering revenue and profitability growth, both
domestically and internationally, strategy execution and
shareholder value creation, including key contributions to numerous
corporate transactions.
Most recently, Mr. Ibbott was CFO at QLT Inc, a NASDAQ and TSX
listed Biopharmaceutical Company and played a key role in QLT's
$500 million merger with Aegerion
Pharmaceuticals to form Novelion Therapeutics. Prior to his time at
QLT, Mr. Ibbott held various senior finance positions, including
with globally operating companies such as Nordion, International
Forest Products, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Aspreva
Pharmaceuticals, and Inex Pharmaceuticals. Earlier in his
career, he worked within the technology practice of KPMG.
In addition to his primary corporate responsibilities, Mr.
Ibbott has held several community engagement Board positions
including with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, the Community Foundation of
Ottawa, and the Mulgrave
Independent School Society.
Mr. Ibbott completed MBAs at Cornell
University and at Queen's University, is a Canadian
Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), as well as a US CPA,
and holds a Bachelor's of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
"We are delighted with the appointment of Glen, as he brings to
Aurora deep experience and capabilities that match our needs as we
continue to develop," said Terry
Booth, CEO. "The timing is perfect as we continue executing
on an aggressive growth and expansion strategy aimed at creating a
global leader in the cannabis industry. We will continue to
emphasize our roots as a medical cannabis company, while
positioning Aurora effectively to seize the enormous opportunity we
expect to be created by the legalization of adult consumer use. As
we take the Aurora Standard to new heights in terms of operational,
financial, governance and innovation excellence, we believe that in
Glen we have found someone who ticks all these boxes, and will be a
great fit for the company as we build on our leadership within the
industry. Finally, I would like to thank Amy Stephenson for her significant contributions
to Aurora over the past year, and for her professionalism,
expertise and team spirit that made her a valued member of our
team."
"Aurora is one of the leaders and trailblazers within this
remarkably fast-growing cannabis industry," added Mr. Ibbott. "I am
excited about my new role and look forward to contributing and
helping Aurora reach the next level in its unprecedented
development. The Aurora Standard, its inclusive culture, and clear
differentiation within the industry, were all important aspects
that made it an easy decision to join the Company. I look forward
to engaging with our partners, stakeholders, management and board
of directors, in further building shareholder value and
establishing Aurora as a long-term leader and success story in this
sector."
Director, Québec Affairs
Additionally, the Company is pleased to report it has appointed
Andrea Paine as Director, Québec
Affairs, operating out of Aurora's Peloton Pharmaceuticals facility
in Pointe-Claire, Québec, and in
close proximity to both Montreal
and Ottawa. Mrs. Paine will be
responsible for external communications in Québec, including
government and community relations, as well as internal
communications at the Company's new Pointe-Claire facility.
A former Citizenship Judge, Paine has over twenty years of
experience working for Cabinet Ministers in both the Québec
Provincial and Federal Governments, including the Federal Minister
of Health, whom she supported as Director of Parliamentary Affairs.
In this position, she was responsible for developing new
legislation, steering this through the House of Commons, as well as
negotiating with Opposition parties and other stakeholder
groups.
"The Aurora Standard continues to attract top talent," said
Cam Battley, Executive
Vice-President. "As part of our organizational DNA, we consider it
extremely important to have an ongoing dialogue and a close
relationship with the communities in which we operate, as well as
with municipal and provincial governments. Andrea, who is fully
bilingual, is extremely well connected, and has extensive
government and stakeholder relations experience. Her energy,
government experience, and commitment to excellence are an ideal
fit for our team."
"Aurora stands out not only because of the quality of its
products, customer service and innovation, but also because of its
strong efforts to create meaningful connections to the political
and economic environments within which it operates," added Ms.
Paine. "These were all important considerations for me, and I am
very excited to join the Aurora team."
About Aurora
Aurora's wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises
Inc., is a licensed producer of medical cannabis pursuant to Health
Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
("ACMPR"). The Company operates a 55,200 square foot,
state-of-the-art production facility in Mountain View County,
Alberta, and is currently
constructing a second 800,000 square foot production facility,
known as "Aurora Sky", at the Edmonton International Airport, and has
acquired, and is undertaking completion of, a third 40,000 square
foot production facility in Pointe-Claire,
Quebec, on Montreal's West Island. In addition, the
company is the cornerstone investor with a 19.9% stake in Cann
Group Limited, the first Australian company licensed to conduct
research on and cultivate medical cannabis. Aurora's common
shares trade on the TSX-V under the symbol "ACB".
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
AURORA CANNABIS INC.
Terry Booth, CEO
This news release includes statements containing certain
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities law ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking
statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan",
"continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate",
"estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions
"may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions.
Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making
the projections contained in the forward-looking statements
throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based
on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the
statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or
results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and
expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by applicable law.
The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc.