New appointment – he banks on NFPs
One of the bigger players in residential aged care has appointed a new non-executive chair with a solid background in the world of social enterprise.
Above: Andrew Tyndale.
Bupa Care Services Australia (BCSA) has announced the appointment of Andrew Tyndale as non-executive chairman of its board of directors.
A graduate of the Benevolent Society’s Social Leadership Australia program, in 2009 Mr Tyndale founded Grace Mutual, a not-for-profit organisation that helps other NFPs solve their financing dilemmas, currently focused around aged care and affordable housing.
He is also former chairman of Opportunity International, an organisation that aims to relieve poverty around the world through the concept of microfinance – very small loans to foster financial independence in developing countries – and currently sits on the board of Gloria Jean’s Coffees.
Mr Tyndale has 26 years’ experience in investment banking, including five years with the now-defunct Babcock & Brown between 2003 and 2008, where he was responsible for a $1.2 billion portfolio of retirement villages and aged care facilities.
During his stint with Babcock and Brown, Mr Tyndale said he got to know “many of the major players in the aged care industry”, including Bupa Care.
“The Bupa facilities were always among the best run and best maintained in the sector, and my observation is that this has continued to improve, which is especially impressive through a tough period,” he said.
“I hope that I can bring a fresh set of eyes and experiences to the table in supporting the Bupa management team. I hope I’ll be able to offer strategic input as the organisation responds to the upcoming industry environment changes.
”Within aged care, I am passionate about enabling people to live out their last few years in comfort and dignity, retaining their individuality and enjoying a quality of life. I know these are held dear within Bupa Care Services, too.”
BCSA managing director, Paul Gregersen, said the finance and governance expert was joining Bupa at a very exciting time with the company embarking upon a strong expansion phase.
“Mr Tyndale is an experienced chairman and non-executive director, having served on numerous public company boards. Andrew’s experience and knowledge of the aged care sector will be a valuable asset to the organisation,” Mr Gregersen said.
According to Mr Tyndale, working alongside his wife and children in developing countries like India, Africa and Southeast Asia, helping non-government organisations (NGOs) with development projects, is what drives him to continue pursuing success in business and finance.
“In many ways, being involved with these organisations has provided much of my incentive over the years to continue to work at being successful: otherwise we’d be able to help a lot less. I love the travel that development work involves, and I wish I could take more time in the field.”
This is a significant appointment for Bupa and I congratulate them on their farsightedness. It is a good example of a board seeking expertise relevant to the emerging environment. Regrettably I suspect 95% of aged care operators in Australia will miss the significance, when many could benefit from following a similar approach.
Every one accepts the challenges in attracting the right people, as opposed to the upright and walking, to serve on boards, especially in rural areas. A small rural board I serve upon has sourced expertise from Melbourne and that person attends board meeting via skype and conference line. It is time for all aged care providers to start looking outside the square when it comes to board composition.
Start by looking at the emerging environment for aged care in Australia and identifying what knowledge and experience your board may need if it is to remain sustainable – then go looking for the right person. It is also valuable to have a sunset clause forcing long standing board members to stand down for a period. This forces the board to become proactive in recruiting new members.
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