Orthocell Limited announced the appointment of John Van Der Wielen as independent Non-Executive Chairman, effective 1 June 2023. Dr. Stewart Washer, who has served as Executive Chairman since April 2014, will transition to Executive Director. The appointment of Mr. Van Der Wielen follows the recent addition of globally recognized healthcare executive Dr. Ravi Thadhani to the Orthocell Board and will further strengthen the leadership team as the Company prepares for the next phase of development and commercialization of its unique medical devices and cellular therapies.

As a senior financial services professional, Mr. Van Der Wielen has over 35 years' international experience in wealth management, private banking, investments, and insurance, in the UK, Luxembourg, Malaysia and Australia. He has held senior executive positions with several national and global financial services groups. Most recently Mr. Van Der Wielen was the CEO and MD of HBF Health Ltd. for over five years.

HBF has revenue of over 1.6 billion dollars and in a recent independent consumer survey was named Australia's most trusted brand in private health insurance. Mr. Van Der Wielen's other previous executive positions include CEO (UK & International) of Friends Life UK, Managing Director (Wealth) of ANZ, CEO of Clerical Medical, Halifax Life & Heidelberger Leben and CEO of Lloyds Banking Group/HBOS Plc. Mr. Van Der Wielen has held numerous directorships and advisory positions, including roles as Senior Adviser to Blackstone.

He has served as Chairperson of Kyckr, Non-Executive Director of Partners Life, Non- Executive Director of Friends Provident International and Non-Executive Director of Lombard International Assurance. Mr. Van Der Wielen has significant expertise overseeing and chairing large funds management and investment committees, as well as leading on acquisitions, integration and restructuring programs. Mr. Van Der Wielen is currently Non-Executive Director, of the Blackstone owned Crown Resorts and Chair of Crown Perth, and Non-Executive Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA. He is a Senior Adviser to Appian Capital Advisory LLP and was recently appointed by the Western Australian Government to Chair its Future Health Research and Innovation Fund (FHRI).

The FHRI is a sovereign wealth fund, with a purpose is to improve, through research and innovation, the health and prosperity of Western Australians, the sustainability of the health system and to advance the State's standing as a leader in research and innovation. Mr. Van Der Wielen holds an MBA from the University of Western Australia, has studied at London Business School and Oxford University, and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.