Baird to leave HammondCare
CEO Mike Baird plans to depart HammondCare in the latter half of next year.
HammondCare chief executive officer Mike Baird intends to stand down from the role in the second half of 2024, the dementia specialist provider has announced.
HammondCare board chair Kok Kong Chan said – while he and the team were “saddened by this news” – they were “deeply grateful” for all Mr Baird had contributed within the organisation, and the sector as a whole.
He added, Mr Baird’s decision was based on optimal timing for HammondCare – allowing time for a strong recruitment and transition process.
“I believe it’s good timing for Mike to hand over something beautiful,” said Mr Chan. “He has worked extremely hard with talented and dedicated leaders and teams to position us for a strong and hopeful future. All the while, leading us through a royal commission, unprecedented reform and, of course, a global pandemic.
Mr Baird – who took on the CEO role in 2020 – said leading HammondCare “has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
He added: “I will never forget or cease to advocate for our frontline heroes across aged care and health.”
Mr Baird said supporting wage increases for workers, helping HammondCare grow by more than 50 per cent since 2019, and contributing to the Aged Care Taskforce were among his key achievements.
“But mostly I am proud to lead a united team absolutely passionate and dedicated to providing exceptional care for valued older Australians, especially the vulnerable.”
Mr Baird said he was not going to any other role and that there was more to achieve with HammondCare before his departure next year.
The HammondCare team of more than 5,300 people were informed of Mr Baird’s decision earlier this week. Mr Chan said the board had begun the recruitment process for Mr Baird’s replacement.
“We are very confident with the direction of HammondCare across its services especially in the areas of dementia care, palliative care and home care,” said Mr Chan. “We believe this represents an outstanding opportunity for a new CEO, dedicated to our mission, to see further growth into unmet needs.”
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