Shake up in one of aged care’s biggest players – Linda Mellors announces resignation from Regis

Regis has been making waves with its recent slew of acquisitions. Now, another wave has come, this time from within its own walls. CEO Linda Mellors has announced her resignation as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) after serving over six years in the respective roles. Wiping any speculation of Mellors moving on to another opportunity within the sector, Regis and Mellors have been clear, the CEO is departing from Regis to “pursue a career opportunity in an unrelated sector.”

Next steps

From the beginning of her tenure in late 2019, Regis has maintained a well-respected reputation, from those within Regis and the sector at large. With a six month notice period, messaging from Regis and Mellors highlights an approach to see out the final months in support of Regis’ operational consistency.

Regis has noted that Mellors will maintain responsibility as CEO and MD while Board members undertake efforts to orchestrate a smooth transition of executive tasks and responsibility to the, as yet, unknown incoming personnel.

Praise from within Regis

Chairman, Graham Hodges has publicly commented on the decision and upcoming departure of Mellors from the top job by taking a retrospective look back.

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Linda for her outstanding leadership and commitment to Regis and the aged care sector more broadly.”

Hodges notes, “During her tenure, Linda has guided the company through a period of significant transformation and growth, including the Royal Commission into Aged Care, the COVID pandemic and the more recent reforms associated with the new Aged Care Act.”

“Her leadership of Regis has delivered significant growth in the business together with important investments in people, processes and systems to maintain our focus on high quality care.”

He says, “Linda leaves the business in a strong financial and operating position and with a capable and experienced executive team. We wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.”

Mellors speaks

Alongside the announcement of her decision, Mellors too looks back on particular hurdles overcome as well as singling out Regis employees, to praise the passion and work ethic brought to the hallways and rooms of Regis’ homes and services.

“It has been a privilege to lead Regis for the past six years. I am proud of our achievement, including navigating the challenges of the global pandemic, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and most recently the introduction of the new Aged Care Act.”

Mellors says, “We have adapted and invested strategically to position Regis for future success. I want to thank all our employees for their hard work and passion in delivering outstanding care to our residents and clients and I look forward to Regis’ continued success and growth.”

Growth trajectory

Now into its fourth decade, Regis has not only been a long standing presence in the aged care space, it has grown to be one of its largest in Australia. Operating and providing services to over 10,000 Australia through its significant portfolio of residential aged care homes, home care hubs, day therapy and respite centres, and retirement villages, remaining Regis leadership will be looking to steer the ship through this time of change.

After a year of dramatic growth, Regis has doubled its home care revenue base. At $125.8 million, Regis’ FY25 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) has seen a 17% uptick, with revenue rising 14.5% to $1.2 billion. With the purchase of OC Health’s aged care homes, Rockpool’s four facilities, and BodeWell Community Care, the trajectory of growth will need to be understood and run with at-speed by the incoming replacement. Regis has been vocal in wanting to realise 10,000 RAC beds by 2028, this goal is now set to be squarely handed to whoever steps into the CEO role.

Regis Board of Directors have shared that an immediate executive search process will be initiated to seek out and appoint a new CEO. For the over 13,000 employees behind Regis’ provision of care and services, the sentiment and expectation remains of consistent treatment of front-line staff in the interim period to support the quality of care to residents.

Investors

For investors, Regis shares have had an active year. 2025 saw Regis stock being up 20% for the year albeit it was a journey to get there. Initially climbing 53% to $9.22 before September saw a 35% sell-off. In the immediacy of the announcement of Mellors resignation, December yielded a dip of 2%, with the drop now sitting around 6%.

Investing experts suggest that the wider market will remain cautious within the top-job search period, with a ‘wait and see’ approach being settled into, particularly after September’s funding reaction.

Looking to the future

From within Regis’ staff base, senior clients and investors alike, from farewelling a well-regarded CEO to seeing what comes next, there is a keen interest in the search for a replacement CEO.

Attention and appetites among clients and markets are evident, the desire for certainty and stability within the industry is paramount. The sector has seen key moments of volatility and change within the span of a few years, likely meaning the search for a head to lead the way forward will be well monitored and assessed.