Movers & Shakers
Here, we run through some of the sector’s recent executive appointments.
HammondCare has new CEO
Not-for-profit health and aged care provider HammondCare has appointed experienced banking sector leader and impact investor Andrew Thorburn as its new chief executive officer. A former CEO of the National Australia Bank and the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Thorburn has also held senior executive roles at St George Bank, Commonwealth Bank and ASB Bank. Over the last five years, he has spent time working with entrepreneurs in impact investing – which refers to investing for social and environmental return rather than just profit – and for a number of not-for-profit organisations. Mr Thorburn replaces CEO Mike Baird who left HammondCare on 4 June after four years in the role.
New CEO at MiCare
MiCare – which specialises in providing aged care to older people from culturally diverse backgrounds – has appointed Penni Michael as its new chief executive officer. Ms Michael has held several roles at MiCare – which provides residential aged care, home care and retirement living services – since joining the organisation in 2012, including her current role of deputy CEO. With more than 25 years’ working in the aged and community care sector – which includes experience in procedure development, policy analysis, and research – Ms Michael has played an active role in advocating for the need for culturally and linguistically diverse care in Australia. Ms Michael commences the CEO role from 12 July.
Carinity announces new CEO
Queensland aged care provider Carinity has appointed Kevin Griffiths as its new chief executive officer. Mr Griffiths joins the not-for-profit, faith-based organisation following three decades working for overseas airlines. Since returning to Australia Mr Griffiths has worked for the Uniting Church and aged care and retirement living provider Aveo. Mr Griffiths replaces David Angell, who – for the past 12 months or more – carried the role of Carinity’s interim CEO.
Change of guard at NARI
Physiotherapist and economist Professor Tracy Comans has commenced as director of Melbourne-based independent ageing, health and aged care research agency the National Ageing Research Institute. She replaces Professor Briony Dow, who is retiring after nine years at the helm and 21 years with the 50-year-old organisation. Professor Tracy Comans – who took over as director last week – is a UQ Amplify Fellow at the Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland, and an adjunct research fellow at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. She has a clinical background specialising in aged care, dementia and rehabilitation and is known for her innovative application of economics in health services and for developing the prototype for the aged care star ratings system.
Warrigal welcomes new directors
New South Wales regional aged care and retirement living provider Warrigal has appointed two new non-executive directors to its board. Professor Lorna Moxham joined the Warrigal board on 27 May. With 44 years in nursing – including 42 specialising in mental health – Professor Moxham offers the not-for-profit provider extensive clinical and academic expertise. Daniel Rowan commenced his tenure in October 2023. Previously managing director at IT company Internetrix, Mr Rowan’s career encompasses management, mergers and acquisitions, and digital transformation.
New Dementia Australia chief starts
Professor Tanya Buchanan commenced her role as Dementia Australia’s new chief executive officer on 20 May. An honorary professor of practice at the University of Wollongong – where she obtained her PhD in public health – Ms Buchanan joins Dementia Australia having left her CEO role at Cancer Council Australia after more than three years heading the national charity. Professor Buchanan replaces Maree McCabe, who last year notified the board of her decision to leave Dementia Australia after 13 years with the national and former state-based organisation.
Sundale appoints CEO
The board of Queensland aged care and retirement living provider Sundale has appointed experienced property and retirement living leader Cameron Taylor as its new chief executive officer. Mr Taylor comes to the role after more than four years at affordable seniors’ accommodation provider Eureka Group Holdings. He was CEO there for the last two-and-a-half years, where he oversaw the repositioning and expansion of the business. Prior to that he held lead property roles at Woolworths Group and Flight Centre Travel Group. His Sundale appointment comes after a four-month search process and period of interim leadership following the departure of Helen Sharply in early 2024.
IRT appoints new chair
Aged care and retirement living provider IRT Group has announced director Peter Fitzgerald as its new chair. The change in governance leadership occurred on 1 May, following the retirement of long-serving chair Mike Halloran – who joined the board in 2012. Mr Fitzgerald – who joined the IRT board in 2017 – said he had “big shoes to fill” in replacing Mr Halloran. Also on 1 May, Renee Campbell and Damien Israel joined the board as non-executive directors, following the retirement of non-executive director Dr Lee Moerman.
AMCS appoints new CEO
Australian Multicultural Community Services has appointed Maryanne Tadic as its incoming chief executive officer. Replacing Elizabeth Drozd – who retires in June after more than two decades of service – Ms Tadic joins AMCS as a senior executive with 20 years of experience in the community health sector. Arriving from her most recent role at not-for-profit community health services provider Merri Health, Ms Tadic brings extensive knowledge of navigating a range of government reforms across various care and welfare sectors – including aged care.
Altura Learning announces new CEO
Aged care training company Altura Learning has appointed Paul Goudie as its new CEO. Commencing the role on 5 April, Mr Goudie joins Altura with more than 20 years of experience in education and technology, and driving workforce development in the care, information technology, and digital media sectors. A key driver of innovation, Mr Goudie has a strong background in educational product development, and quality improvement programs. Previous to joining Altura, Mr Goudie held senior leadership roles at Swinburne University and Goodstart Early Learning.
Two new directors join ARIIA board
Aged Care Research Industry Innovation Australia has appointed two new directors to its board – aged care executive Veronica Jamison and Associate Professor Corey Tutt. Ms Jamison joins ARIIA with extensive experience working in the aged, community and primary care sectors as well as in public health settings. She is CEO of community-based regional aged care and retirement living provider Shepparton Villages in northern Victoria. Mr Tutt is an associate professor at Western Sydney University’s School of Science. Associate Professor Tutt is also founder and CEO of Deadly Science – a not-for-profit organisation that provides STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) resources to remote schools in Australia.
Linda Feldt appointed ACH CEO
South Australian aged care services provider ACH Group has appointed interim head Linda Feldt as its CEO. Ms Feldt – who joined the not-for-profit in 2015 – has been ACH’s interim CEO for the past six months, following the departure of her predecessor Frank Weits. She was previously the organisation’s chief operating officer. Ms Feldt has executive experience in senior commercial, finance, and customer roles across aged care and disability services in SA, as well as in multinational and international corporations.
Remote accord network announces new chair
The Aged Care Workforce Remote Accord has appointed Juniper CEO Russell Bricknell as chair of its leadership group. Mr Bricknell – who took over the helm of Juniper in December 2022 – has an extensive background in the aged care and community services sectors. He was chief executive of Baptistcare WA serving metropolitan and regional communities in Western Australia for over five years and global chief executive of the Aged Care Channel Australia for five-and-a-half years before that, managing operations in Australia and overseas.
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