Helen Emmerson departs SCC NSW & ACT

Helen Emmerson has resigned from her role as chief executive officer of Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT after 10 years with the not-for-profit aged care and retirement living provider.

Ms Emmerson – who started her career as a registered nurse – joined the organisation in 2013 as a project officer. She went on to become general manager of residential services then head of care before moving to CEO in 2018.

SCC NSW & ACT announced her resignation on Monday 18 September 2023 effective immediately along with the appointment of former board member Monique Reynolds as interim CEO from the same day.

Ms Emmerson – whose last day at the organisation was last Friday – said it had been an honour and privilege to lead the team at SCC and that she was proud of what she and her colleagues achieved together.

“Very early in my career as a registered nurse I realised that aged care was an area I was passionate about and an area where I believed I could make a real difference. My experience at Southern Cross Care over the past decade has emphatically confirmed that belief,” she said.

“It is sadly all too common to talk about aged care in a negative context, and yet the work I have seen our team doing for our residents has been nothing short of inspiring.”

Ms Emmerson said she was now ready for a new chapter.

SCC NSW & ACT chair Lawrence Hallinan thanked Ms Emmerson for her hard work over the last decade and wished her the best for her future endeavours.

“Helen leaves Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT in excellent shape. All residential aged care facilities have obtained full accreditation, home care services and retirement living have transition plans for a positive future,” Mr Hallinan said.

“The importance that Helen placed on the role of registered nurses, both in care and in management, will rank high among her legacies. She will also be remembered for her mantra: ‘ageing is everyone’s business’.”

SCC NSW & ACT said the executive experience of Ms Reynolds – who served on SCC NSW & ACT board from 2017 until recently – and her familiarity with SCC NSW & ACT would ensure smooth operations until a new CEO is appointed.

The board will undertake a formal recruitment process for the permanent CEO role, a spokesperson told Australian Ageing Agenda.

Main image: Helen Emmerson

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