First female Deputy Chair
A not-for-profit provider has broken with tradition as it looks to grow in these “tough” times.
Mary Marsland is the new Deputy Chair of the board of Masonic Homes
In a move that is believed to be a first for an aged care provider affiliated with Freemasonry, Masonic Homes has appointed a woman to a leadership position on its board of directors.
Prominent South Australian businesswoman Mary Marsland has been made the board’s Deputy Chair.
Ms Marsland, who has been a Masonic Homes board member since 2005, has extensive experience in architecture and asset management in the public sector.
She is currently Chair of the South Australian Housing Trust is a member of the Affordable Housing Trust, the Construction Industry Training Board and the SA Heritage Council.
Also joining the board is Paul Bear, a well known figure in banking and finance law.
Mr Bear is a director of the Lifeplan Group of companies as well as being a member of the Law Society of South Australia, and the former Deputy Chairman of the Financial Services Committee of the Law Council of Australia.
He is the only South Australian to have been elected President of the Banking and Financial Services Law Association.
New Chairman, David Brooks said the board is committed to finding the right mix of people to lead the organisation in the current aged care climate.
“It has been a tough industry for some time and it’s going to get tougher,” he said.
“We are very keen to ensure that the board has the acumen and skill to move the organisation through these times.”
Mr Brooks said the changes to the board are part of an ongoing strategy to boost its effectiveness.
“From an operational point of view, we are looking to expand the number of aged care people we are looking after through organic growth and acquisition,” he said.
“At the same time we are looking to continue to run the business according to the ASX principles – even though we are not a listed company – and so we have been aiming to increase our accountability.”
Retiring Chairman, Tony Hughes will remain as a non-executive director for twelve months, as part of the organisation’s continuity planning process.
