Karen Bardwell

Select Recruitment is continuing the legacy of one of the OMRF's most loyal supporters.

Foundation patron Karen Bardwell, who sadly passed away in December 2017, was Managing Director of recruitment companies Select Recruitment and Oyster Executive Recruitment, and responsible for Oyster's sponsorship of the annual “Night to Remember” fundraising dinner. 

Supporting the Foundation was important to Karen, not only for the far-reaching studies it underpinned and the difference that research made, but also because it was a very positive way of supporting talent and helping young people to establish their careers. 

Select has committed to continue as an associate sponsor for Club Otago.

As Dean Delaney pointed out when he was with Select, anyone who knew Karen knew she was passionate about the city and economic development and was proud to be part of something that was making such a difference. "Karen thought sponsoring the Foundation was a fantastic way to support Dunedin, and we agree – we wanted to see it continued."

"We can see that supporting the fundamental 'ripper rugby' of start-up research can kickstart brand new areas of understanding the human condition, and is very important to those beginning their careers in science - everyone benefits. The team at Select all felt that we needed to re-commit to be a strategic sponsor – its an arrangement that provides value for both to our business and for the Foundation's good work."

"Giving back is an important part of being in business, and we are pleased to tell our clients we are sponsoring the Foundation to play our part in the community we live and work in.  It's something all businesses should be doing."

Foundation Director of Development Susan Sims said the Foundation was thrilled that Select had chosen to continue to back the work it was doing.

"We respected Karen's drive and her support for us; her commitment to and enthusiasm for the work of our researchers and scholarship recipients was unquestioned. While the company support carried a business angle, it was her personal interest in the discoveries being made which really fired her imagination. We are proud that Select's support for on-going research will continue the legacy."