Key Highlights

• Microba Life Sciences announced the appointment of Geoffrey Cockerill as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective 29 September 2026, following the medical leave of incumbent CEO Dr Luke Reid.

• Cockerill brings over 30 years of executive Leadership experience, including as CEO of ASX-listed Vitura Health Limited (ASX:VIT) and Chief Executive of ATP Science.

• The engagement is structured as an independent contractor arrangement with an initial six-month term at a daily fee of $2,100 (excluding GST), with no entitlement to incentive, equity, or transaction-related remuneration.

• Cockerill will not serve as a director of Microba or any of its subsidiaries, reporting directly to the Board through the Chair.

Microba Life Sciences Limited (ASX:MAP) announced on 25 September 2026 that its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Luke Reid, is on medical leave. To maintain leadership continuity during this period, the Board has appointed Geoffrey Cockerill as Interim Chief Executive Officer, with the role commencing on 29 September 2026. The appointment was made in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.16.4, which requires the disclosure of material terms of executive engagements.

The engagement is structured as an independent contractor arrangement. Cockerill will not hold a directorship position at Microba or any of its subsidiaries. His reporting line is directly to the Board through the Chair. The initial term is set at six months, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.

Profile of the Incoming Interim CEO

Geoffrey Cockerill brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience across large and complex organisations in Australia and internationally. His career has included senior roles at Diageo Australia and Lion, two well-known consumer goods organisations. He also served as Regional Director for Australia, New Zealand, and South-East Asia at Subway Systems, where he was a member of the Global Executive Leadership Team.

Most recently, Cockerill served as Chief Executive Officer of ASX-listed Vitura Health Limited (ASX:VIT) and prior to that as CEO of ATP Science. In those positions, he led programs focused on organisational transformation, operational improvement, cost and efficiency management, and commercial growth. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing and Human Resources and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors program. Cockerill is Brisbane-based.

Remuneration and Engagement Terms

Under the terms of the engagement disclosed by Microba, Cockerill will receive a fixed daily fee of $2,100 (excluding GST), inclusive of superannuation, based on a five-day working week. The remuneration structure includes no short-term or long-term incentive entitlements, no Equity or equity-based awards, and no completion, success, or transaction-related fee. Either party may terminate the engagement on four weeks' written notice, with the Company retaining the right to terminate immediately for cause.

The engagement terms reflect a structure typical of transitional executive appointments, where the Company prioritises cost certainty and contractual flexibility during a period of operational uncertainty. The absence of performance incentives or equity participation limits the financial exposure for the Company but also reduces the alignment of interest that such structures typically provide over a longer-term tenure.

Company Background: Microba Life Sciences

Microba Life Sciences is a microbiome health and human care company, focused on developing and commercialising clinical-grade microbiome tests. The Company's stated vision is to deliver diagnostic tools that enable individuals to make more informed decisions about their health. Microba positions its work at the intersection of science, data analytics, and healthcare, with a focus on building tools that provide insights into the human gut microbiome.

The medical leave of Dr Reid and the interim appointment of Cockerill represent a period of leadership change that investors and market observers will be monitoring closely. Leadership continuity is a material Factor for companies in the healthcare technology and diagnostics sector, where strategic execution and commercial momentum can be sensitive to management transitions.

Looking Forward

Microba has not disclosed any update on the expected duration of Dr Reid's medical leave, nor has it indicated whether a formal CEO search is underway. The six-month initial term for the Cockerill engagement provides a defined window for the Board to assess the situation and make longer-term leadership decisions. Investors will be watching for any updates regarding Dr Reid's return or the Company's permanent CEO appointment process, as well as any operational announcements under Cockerill's interim leadership.