Interim CEO appointed for new provider peak body

Paul Sadler, current CEO of Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), will become the interim CEO of the new Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) on 1 June, in preparation for ACCPA to formally launch on 1 July.

ACCPA will replace ACSA and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), to create a unified voice for aged care providers in line with a recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The current CEO of LASA, Sean Rooney, has decided to step down after six years in the role and not be part of the process to recruit ACCPA’s permanent leader.

Mr Rooney will lead a Project Management Office for ACCPA to assist in establishing the new body and says stepping down was a hard decision.

“It was not an easy decision to make, but, due to a range of personal and professional factors, I feel it is the right decision,” says Mr Rooney.

“It has been a privilege to lead the outstanding team at LASA, work with a terrific Board, and do my best in representing and supporting the passionate and professional organisations and staff that provide care and support for older Australians.

“As I look to my future, I hope I can find other ways to contribute to the ageing and aged care agenda in Australia, whilst doing all I can to ensure that ACCPA realises its full potential.”

ACCPA Board Chair and LASA Board Chair, Dr Graeme Blackman AO FTSE FAICD, says Mr Rooney and Mr Sadler will work together with an interim executive team of five General Managers.

“We greatly value the leadership and aged care experience that both Paul and Sean can offer in their interim roles as we move into this important next transition phase,” Dr Blackman says.

“Teamed with the interim executive team structure, it will provide much needed focus on establishing ACCPA’s operations and services, while moving to a unified approach and workplace culture as quickly as possible.”

ACSA and LASA services will be uninterrupted while ACCPA is established, and Mr Sadler says the interim executives will ensure the benefits of the sector having a single voice are felt from the start of ACCPA’s operation.

“Now we have the mandate to build a single industry voice, it’s vital that we also behave and communicate as a single team,” says Mr Sadler.

“This enables a single focus on ACCPA’s long-term organisational structure and member services so our collaborative and unified approach to working with consumers, communities and government can begin.”

Mr Sadler says the first priorities of ACCPA will be; an aged care reform reset after the Federal Election, the workforce, the sector’s sustainability and transparency, and improving quality care.