Dr Robert Finch has been appointed general manager of textiles for New Zealand-based Canesis Network Ltd, with effect from Thursday, 22 September 2005.

In making the announcement, Canesis CEO, Andrew Macpherson, noted that Dr Finch brings to this position a wide ranging experience in the production and evaluation of materials, especially apparel textiles and fibre-reinforced composite materials, and a keen appreciation of the role of innovation and consumer needs in textiles.

Dr Finch joined Canesis in February 2004 as research and technology marketing manager for the textiles division, with responsibility for marketing Canesis services to the global textile industry. Dr Finch’s previous experience includes six years as group manager, technical marketing for The Woolmark Company (TWC) based in Ilkley, UK.

Canesis, based at Lincoln, near Christchurch, is an internationally focused research and development company specialising in natural fibres, textiles and keratin biopolymers. It is owned 75% by Wool EquitiesLtd, a publicly listed innovation company and 25% by Wool Research, a New Zealand wool industry incorporated society.