AUSactive elevates skillset with two new director appointments
John Petrozzi and Dr Bikram Karmakar join as Non-Executive Directors
The peak association for the health and exercise industry, AUSactive, has appointed two new Non Executive Directors to its board to broaden and strengthen its skillset and bolster its role in Australia’s preventive health environment, as it continues to focus on supporting its members to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.
As the largest association of exercise and active health professionals and facilities across Australia, AUSactive has more than 12,000 Professionals, 3,000 fitness, yoga and Pilates businesses plus over 180 CEC providers and 35 Quality Accredited businesses who service an industry with more than 8 million active Australian consumers.
Commencing from 1 July, AUSactive welcomes Dr Bikram Karmamkar and Dr John Petrozzi to the board as Non-Executive Directors. The new appointments follow the recent departure of Kate Corkery and Sally Anderson.
AUSactive Chairperson Jayne Blake said the two new board appointments play a pivotal role in the strategic direction of AUSactive and the expertise will elevate the collective board’s skillset.
“We are delighted to welcome Bikram Karmakar and John Petrozzi to the AUSactive board and extend a very sincere thank you to Kate Corkery and Sally Anderson for their dedication during their time with us. Sally will remain connected to the AUSactive Board as she will be Chairing an Advisory Group going forwards, I look forward to continuing to work with her in this capacity,” Ms Blake said.
“The appointment of Bikram and John brings to the table a vast range of industry and health related experience and knowledge.”
“As the peak association for the health and exercise industry, it’s our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians through greater advocacy, research and education while also professionalising the industry to instil consumer confidence.”
“The extensive hands-on knowledge and experience John and Bikram have will be invaluable to this strategic direction.”
Bikram Karmakar said it was a privilege to join the AUSactive board and supporting its commitment to addressing population and preventative health issues.
“As a Sport and Exercise Physician with extensive experience in the health sector and working with allied health I share AUSactive’s desire to improve health outcomes through lifestyle and exercise intervention,” Dr Karmakar said.
John Petrozzi said he was looking forward to working alongside other AUSactive board members and the executive team to position the Australian health and exercise industry as world leading.
“Australia leads the world in many aspects of health and medicine and AUSactive’s strategic direction focuses on elevating the health and exercise industry, which is so important for preventative health. I’m honoured to be part of the journey,” Dr Petrozzi said.
Dr Bikram Karmakar, AUSactive Non-Executive Director
Bikram Karmakar is a Sports and Exercise Physician and Chief Medical Officer for the Cronulla Sharks Rugby League. In addition to his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, he has completed his Master of Surgery and MBA (Executive) and is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians (ACSEP). Bikram’s diverse roles have included appointments with the International Cricket Council, Sydney Thunder, Cricket Australia, National Rugby League, and FIFA. In addition to his clinical practice, Bikram is an Adjunct Associate Lecturer at UNSW Medicine and a member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (ASLM). He has presented several research publications at national and international conferences.
Dr John Petrozzi, AUSactive Non-Executive Director
John Petrozzi is an allied health professional, health researcher and board director. John completed a back pain focused PhD at The University of Sydney in 2021 involving the design and leading an Australia-wide randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of combined physical and psychological interventions for the management of chronic back pain. John is a practicing chiropractor since 1998 at Body Mind Central, an allied health practice in Sydney Australia and continues to practice alongside his research roles.
Other organisations John currently (or previously) works for include NSW Health Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) – Pain Management Network, and ACI -State Spinal Cord Injury Network, The University of Sydney – Kolling Institute and Macquarie University Health Sciences.
For more information on the AUSactive Board visit https://ausactive.org.au/about/
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Barrie brings over 20 years’ CEO experience of successful organisational change, strategic development and business growth across a range of sectors such as Education, Health and Community Services.
You’ll regularly hear Barrie talking about his passions and experiences including surfing, Triathlons, keeping his mental health and wellbeing strong through exercise, trekking the Kokoda Trail and Macchu Pichu, Led Zeppelin and Hot Rods – all for the purpose of making meaningful connections. Barrie has a longstanding personal and professional interest in adventure play for children and is currently completing a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education.
Today Barrie is proud to be the CEO of AUSactive, the peak national health and fitness industry association activating everybody, every way, every day.