Big shoes to fill

Above: John Ireland, retiring CEO, Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT

Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT has appointed Paul McMahon to replace its long-serving CEO, John Ireland who will be retiring in July after 22 years in the role.

Paul McMahon is currently CEO of Thomas Holt Villages, a not-for-profit aged care organisation in Sydney’s southern suburbs offering residential care, community care and retirement villages.

He has previously worked as Regional Director, Sydney Region for UnitingCare Ageing NSW & ACT.  He was also Manager Aged and Community Care Branch of the Department of Health and Ageing in the 1990s 

Mr McMahon said he had very much enjoyed his three years with Thomas Holt Villages and would be working with the organisation over the next couple of months to help recruit his replacement.  

“But I’m looking forward to the new role and obviously I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a large, diverse organisation.

“Southern Cross Care has an outstanding reputation in the industry – a legacy established by John Ireland over so many years – and I hope to continue that legacy,” he said.

However, McMahon is quick to say that he will be coming to the job as his own person.

“Everyone has their own perspectives.  John Ireland has big shoes to fill but I’ll be wearing my own shoes and I might even have a couple of different pairs of them!” he said.

One of the many appealing elements of the new role, says McMahon, is its mix of urban and regional services.

“I’m a country boy – from Dubbo in the central west of New South Wales – so I understand the particular challenges of rural and regional settings,” he said.

Paul McMahon commences in the role of CEO from 25 July.  John Ireland will formally retire in mid August.