Long-time Warrigal CEO set to retire
After 20 years as CEO of Warrigal, Mark Sewell announces his retirement.
After 20 years leading New South Wales regional aged care and retirement living provider Warrigal, chief executive officer Mark Sewell has announced he is retiring in October.
Mr Sewell (pictured above) joined Warrigal in 2001 after working for the state government in the youth, disability and child protection sectors.
During his tenure, Mr Sewell – alongside his executive team – grew the community-based provider from an organisation of 300 employees to the operation it is today – one with a workforce of 1,750 people and over 300 volunteers across 25 service providers located in NSW and the ACT.
Under Mr Sewell’s leadership, Warrigal won best Australian aged care provider in 2018 and 2021 at Aged & Community Services Australia’s annual industry awards. Mr Sewell has been regional chair of ACSA, and then the new peak body Aged & Community Care Providers Association, since 2004. He will also retire from that role.
Speaking of his decision to step down, Mr Sewell told Australian Ageing Agenda: “People often think a CEO delivers corporate controls and decisions, which they do, but I have had the pleasure at Warrigal of being the chief encouragement officer for inspiring people at all levels of this community enterprise.
“The culture of teamwork and innovation at Warrigal takes your breath away.”
“This has enabled this great place to grow and be delighted by their own success. The culture of teamwork and innovation at Warrigal takes your breath away. It’s been a privilege to be part of it for so long and I leave it and the industry in good hands with so many great reforms now being rolled out across the sector by so many great people at the service delivery level.”
Chairman of the Warrigal board Wyn Janssen said the provider was grateful for the growth Mr Sewell has overseen over the years. “Mark has left us in an outstanding position, and myself, along with the entire board, now have full confidence in our ability as an organisation to succeed in this next exciting chapter for aged care and retirement living services in Australia.”
Warrigal’s board of directors have commenced the search for a new CEO, which they hope will be in place upon Mr Sewell’s departure in two months’ time.
Main image: Mark Sewell
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