Sir Raymond John Avery GNZM is a distinguished New Zealand pharmaceutical scientist, inventor,
author, and social entrepreneur whose life journey exemplifies resilience and innovation. Born in
1947 in Kent, England, Sir Ray’s early years were marked by significant challenges. Raised in
orphanages and foster homes, he found solace and inspiration in science, beginning at age 14
when he discovered warmth and knowledge in London’s public libraries. This spark of curiosity
would propel him to a lifetime of achievements that benefit millions worldwide.

Sir Ray’s professional journey began after earning his education at Wye College, Kent. He built a
career in clinical pharmacology and pharmaceutical innovation. Settling in New Zealand in 1973,
he quickly made an impact, becoming a founding member of the Department of Clinical
Pharmacology at the University of Auckland School of Medicine and serving as the technical
director at Douglas Pharmaceuticals. His expertise fueled his passion for creating accessible
healthcare solutions for underserved populations.

Building Global Impact
In the 1990s, as Technical Director for the Fred Hollows Foundation, Sir Ray spearheaded the
development of intraocular lens manufacturing facilities in Eritrea and Nepal. These facilities
continue to transform lives, restoring sight to those in need.

In 2003, Sir Ray established Medicine Mondiale (the Sir Ray Avery Foundation), dedicated to
making affordable, high-quality healthcare and medical equipment accessible to the world’s
poorest communities. Through this organization, he developed innovations like the Acuset IV Flow
Controller and the Lifepod Incubator, both designed to meet the unique challenges of resource-limited settings.

A New Chapter: Help@Hand
As a social entrepreneur, Sir Ray has continually sought practical solutions to systemic issues. His
latest venture, Help@Hand (H@H), exemplifies this philosophy. H@H is a charitable trust leveraging
technology, research and advocacy to support domestic and sexual violence survivors. Under Sir
Ray’s leadership, the organization has already made a profound impact, supporting 300 families
through innovative services like the Violence Prevention Watch and Monitoring Service.

This is the flagship project for H@H, a discreet security watch that empowers survivors and
advocates by providing a lifeline in critical situations. This technology has been piloted
successfully in South Auckland in partnership with Papakura Marae, the police, and social
services. With backing from organizations like the Ted Manson Foundation, Help@Hand is scaling
nationwide and conducting Social Return on Investment (SROI) research to ensure measurable
impact.

A Legacy of Inspiration
Despite personal setbacks in his childhood, Sir Ray’s commitment to innovation and his resilience
shine through. His life story, as detailed in his best-selling autobiography Rebel with a Cause, and
his subsequent book The Power of Us, inspires individuals to believe in the transformative power of
perseverance and vision.

Through Help@Hand, Sir Ray continues to challenge societal norms and redefine what’s possible
for a social enterprise. His mission is not just to create products or programs but to build systems
of empowerment, ensuring a better, safer future for vulnerable communities across New Zealand
and beyond.

Sir Ray will be creating a Vlog interviewing global thought leaders in the domestic violence and sexual
violence prevention and rehabilitation sectors. If you would be interested in being interviewed, please
contact gavin@helpathand.org.nz