New board directors for COTA Victoria

Council on the Ageing Victoria and Senior Rights Victoria have appointed former aged care peak body Gerard Mansour and former barrister Ray Cummings to their boards of chief directors.

Mr Mansour joins COTA Victoria and SRV – a major program run and governed by the advocacy group – following four terms as the Commissioner for Senior Victorians, a role in which he served as a conduit between the community and state government.

Mr Mansour has also served as deputy chair of the Elder Abuse and Safeguarding Advisory Group, chair for the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Senior Victorians, and as ambassador for Elder Abuse Prevention. He also has extensive experience in the aged care sector, where he was the inaugural chief of now defunct aged care peak body Leading Age Services Australia when it launched in mid-2012 and head of Aged and Community Care Victoria for six years immediately before that.

“Gerard joins the COTA Victoria board at a time of significant positive change and the implementation of a very focused strategic plan,” said COTA Victoria and SRV CEO, Chris Potaris. “He brings to the role highly valued strategic and practical thinking and echoes the voice of over 2.3 million Victorians over the age of 50.”

He added: “We’re thrilled to add Gerard’s knowledge and experience to our very collaborative and inclusive board and I’m personally very pleased to continue our strong working relationship.”

In response, Mr Mansour said he was delighted to join the board of such an important organisation as COTA Victoria. “This gives me the wonderful opportunity to continue addressing the priorities of senior Victorians.”

A former barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and with formal qualifications in law, accounting, and economics, Mr Cummings brings a wealth of legal and financial experience to the COTA Victoria board.

During his career, Mr Cummings was also tax partner at Pitcher Partners and founding principal of Greenoak Advisory. He also has experience in regulatory and reporting requirements, corporate governance, and legislative interpretation and policy.

“Ray’s broad and varied legal and financial experience continues to build upon the diverse credentials and skills found within our board,” said COTA Victoria and SRV president Robert Caulfield.

Mr Cummings said he was “thrilled and excited” by his appointment. “I am very much looking forward to being able to add my contributions to those of a very talented and experienced board and executive team.”

Mr Caulfield said COTA Victoria was delighted to be able to attract the insight and expertise of such high-calibre professionals to its board of directors. “We’ll use the knowledge of our new additions to continue our ever-important work with government to further a positive ageing agenda within this state and across Australia.”

Main image L-R: Gerard Mansour and Ray Cummings

Have we missed an appointment or resignation? Send us the details and an image to editorial@australianageingagenda.com.au