New HammondCare CEO announcement signposts the next era

HammondCare will officially begin its new era in June after the national provider announced that Andrew Thorburn will take over from Mike Baird AO as their next Chief Executive Officer.

Key points

• Mr Thorburn, 58, has an extensive background in leadership and is a former CEO of National Australia Bank (NAB) and Bank of New Zealand
• He has also held leadership roles across both the profitable and not-for-profit (NFP) worlds, including chairman of the ethical investing organisation Sentient Impact Group and City on a Hill (church) and as director of the NFP investment fund management group For Purpose Investment Partners
• In October 2022 he was appointed as the Essendon Football Club’s CEO, but he resigned one day later due to media attention over some religious viewpoints held by the City on a Hill Church

HammondCare, one of the nation’s leading not-for-profit health and aged care providers with almost 100 years worth of history, said it appointed Mr Thorburn following a thorough recruitment process led by an experienced executive search firm. 

Aligned passions for caring for older people and supporting the community brought both parties together with the former banking CEO saying he’s committed to building on the provider’s current investment in leaders, people and relationships.

“I am honoured to join HammondCare, an organisation who has been working with people in need for more than 90 years,” Mr Thorburn said. 

“I am inspired by HammondCare’s great history of responding to needs in areas as diverse as dementia, palliative care, homelessness, and the fast-growing area of care in the home. Serving alongside the remarkable team, motivated to care for all people unconditionally, will be a privilege.”

Mr Thorburn’s leadership brought about innovative change at NAB during the mid-to-late 2010s as he launched a transformational period of technology investment which resulted in cost reductions.

His tenure at NAB ended in challenging circumstances due to the critical findings of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking and Superannuation Industry. Since then, an increased focus on impact investing and NFPs has strengthened his person-centred leadership.

“A focus on people has been central to every role I have held and, together with the team, I will build on that as we serve residents, clients and patients. I’ve seen first-hand through my own parents, and friends in my local community, that life as you age can be challenging,” he added.

Board Chair Kok Kong Chan highlighted his business and leadership acumen as key skills essential to taking on challenges and opportunities aged care will face. 

“This appointment positions HammondCare well for the sweeping changes underway in the care of older Australians following the Royal Commission, Covid and far-reaching regulatory and compliance reform,” Mr Chan said.

“Aged care is a complex business with great opportunities in the years ahead for HammondCare to help even more people through its Mission to improve the quality of life for people in need.”

As for what lies ahead over the coming months and years, Mr Thorburn said he is focused on strengthening HammondCare’s finances and workforce capabilities. 

“As a nation, we will need to do more to do to address complex ageing issues like rising levels of dementia, mental health and life challenges like loneliness that will come from this shift in the ageing population,” Mr Thorburn said.

“The aged care sector could benefit from new funding sources, greater employment of technology and continued innovation to resolve workforce shortages.”

Mr Thorburn will take over from Mr Baird on June 17. His appointment will no doubt provide HammondCare with a new leadership direction, although one that is sure to continue on the foundations laid by his predecessors.