Chair retirement leads to Silverchain Group changing of the guard

National in home health and aged care service provider Silverchain has announced the retirement of long-serving Chair of the Board Anne Skipper AM with fellow Board Director Haydn Chrystal named as her successor.

Ms Skipper was first appointed chair of Royal District Nursing Service (RDNS) of South Australia in 2007. She was later named the Silverchain Group’s inaugural chair in 2011 when RDNS and Silverchain merged.

An incredibly knowledgeable and experienced leader and governance consultant, Ms Skipper has served on the People’s Choice Credit Union and Plan International boards. She also chaired the Principals Australia Institute board.

“It has been an incredible privilege to Chair first RDNS and then Silverchain Group following the Silverchain and RDNS merger in 2011. The development and delivery of our Best Care promise – care that is safe, personal, connected and effective for every client, every time – is a highlight, delivered by the skills, compassion and commitment of our incredible people,” she said,

Recent Silverchain milestones included the organisation’s acquisition of KinCare, a significant achievement that enhanced the organisation’s capacity to deliver its Best Care promise from coast to coast.

“Silverchain is well-positioned to meet the growing needs of older Australians, ensuring they can receive care where they are most comfortable: home. Technology will play an increasingly important role in empowering people to live independently, age with dignity, and receive care at home, and Silverchain Group has invested to ensure we can shape the future of care,” Ms Skipper added.

Current Silverchain Board Director Haydn Chrystal brings over 20 years of experience as a non-executive director and a strong track record of ethical leadership in business.

He has served as Executive Chairman of the Chrystal Group since 1995, overseeing the strategic growth of its family of companies. In addition to his Director role at Silverchain, which he has held since 2010, Mr Chrystal is a director of PT SAP (Indonesia), president director of PT Caterlindo, executive chairman of Chrystal & Co, CI Group and executive director of Takari Holdings.

Ms Skipper praised her successor’s wide-ranging nous and leadership expertise.

“Haydn’s strong business and commercial acumen and deep commitment to Silverchain’s values make him the ideal leader to guide the organisation through a period of growth and transformation,” Ms Skipper said.

Mr Chrystal expressed his gratitude to Ms Skipper for her leadership.

“Anne’s vision and determination have made Silverchain what it is today – a leader in trusted, innovative and compassionate in-home care. I am honoured to follow in her footsteps,” Mr Chrystal said.

“Alongside our Chief Executive Dale Fisher AM, I look forward to guiding Silverchain through the opportunities and challenges ahead with health care and aged care reform and growing care needs for Australians of all ages.”

Additionally, Silverchain has appointed two new board directors from South Australia.

Di Mantell, a former nurse, has 25 years experience as a non-executive and executive director experience in the public sector, overlayed with the private sector experience of 10 years.

Ms Mantell is an accomplished CEO and executive with extensive experience in healthcare and infrastructure projects. She is the Chief Executive of Celsus, one of the most significant public-private partnerships in Australia, overseeing the development of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. She is deeply committed to sustainability, innovation and community impact.

Susan Neuhaus, a surgeon and distinguished ex-Army officer, is an experienced non-executive director. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, has over three decades of experience in the public and private sectors and holds academic appointments with the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.

In 2019, Ms Neuhaus was elected to the Roll of Fellows of the Australian Medical Association. Susan has broad experience as a director and board chairman across defence, health and research, government and not-for-profit sectors and is a Fellow, and former director, of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.