Tom Symondson has officially taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aged & Community Care Providers Association, and said he’s ready to provide strong leadership and a united voice in the aged care sector.
Mr Symondson was announced as the new CEO shortly after the launch of the new look aged care industry peak body in July, which is an amalgamation of Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).
Commencing his new role, he thanked Paul Sadler for his leadership as Interim CEO of ACCPA, as well as for his work in establishing a public profile for ACCPA from its inception in July and in the leadup to the transition to the new organisation.
Mr Symondson said he was delighted to begin in his new role and respected the resilience of the aged care sector.
“The aged care sector is facing many challenges, not least the incredible strain on our workforce after more than two years of a global pandemic and the huge financial strain on providers,” he said.
“Yet, staff have continued to show up and older Australians have continued to receive the services and support they need and deserve.
“It’s evident that there is enormous resilience in our industry, and we need to build on that as we work to strengthen public trust and partner with [the] Government to achieve real reform which improves the wellbeing of older people, wherever they live.”
Before joining ACCPA, Mr Symondson was the CEO of the Victorian Healthcare Association in Victoria after serving for two years as Director of Policy and Strategy.
Moving to Australia from England in 2011, he came from a career in Local Government serving as a political advisor in Southwark Council in London.
Mr Symondson currently sits on the board of superannuation fund, Aware Super, and he has also served on a range of Government boards and task forces, including the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee for Mental Health, the Victorian Quality and Safety Council, the Public Sector Residential Aged Care Expert Advisory Group, and was Chair of the International Federation of Community Health Centres.
Mr Symondson will give his first major speech this week at ACCPA’s inaugural National Conference in Adelaide.
“Our inaugural National Conference gives us an exceptional opportunity to meet face-to-face and take the pulse of the sector, to learn about the progress of aged care reform, and of new innovations and opportunities to improve the lives of older Australians,” Mr Symondson said.
“Now, more than ever our sector needs strong leadership and a united voice through ACCPA so that we can work with Government and industry stakeholders to achieve a sustainable aged care sector that improves the wellbeing of older Australians.
“I can’t think of a more important goal, and I am excited to be able to play a part in delivering it.”
For more details about the ACCPA conference, visit the ACCPA website.
