Hunter business identity Kyle Loades has been appointed the new Chair of the HMRI Foundation to continue growing the community fundraising base for health and medical research.
He replaces the retiring chair, Jann Gardner, who took on the role in 2012 and will continue her involvement with the Karen Brown Memorial Fund for breast cancer.
HMRI’s Associate Director Development, Marketing and Communications, Maureen Jack, said Kyle’s appointment would complement his connections with the NRMA, Hunter Business Chamber, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club.
“Kyle brings strong corporate connections, a wealth of commercial and governance experience and an intimate understanding of not-for-profit organisations,” Maureen said.
“At the same time, I sincerely thank Jann for helping to build HMRI’s profile and foster the generous support of donors throughout the region.”
Kyle is founder and Managing Director of Auto Advantage, an independent car-buying service that delivers 1000 cars a year to clients Australia-wide.
His business interests led to a 10-year involvement with the Hunter Business Chamber, culminating with Kyle serving as President for two years.
He became an NRMA Motoring Services Director in 2005 as a natural extension of his automotive industry background and Chamber experience, a position that sees him lobbying with politicians and other stakeholders to address member concerns.
In his spare time, the father of three girls can often be found surfing at Nobbys, where he started as a nipper and is now a Past President and Life Member.
“My father was a Life Member at Nobbys and my two brothers are also involved, so there’s a very strong link,” Kyle said. “It signalled the start of my involvement with a community not-for-profit group and I really enjoyed being able to give back to the community.
“I see HMRI as being one of the pre-eminent not-for-profits in the Hunter. It has done so much good work but there’s more to do, because every life saved, or every illness prevented, makes an enormous difference to the community.”
Kyle has a personal interest in cancer research after his father passed away from a form of brain cancer, but is intent on working across the entire domain of illnesses.