NSW and ACT aged care and retirement living provider RSL LifeCare today announced its CEO, Laurie Leigh, has resigned and will be leaving the organisation on April 14 after almost three years in the role.
Ms. Leigh was appointed as a reformist CEO in 2018 to strengthen the corporate governance of RSL LifeCare in the wake of the Bergin Inquiry, and later guided the organisation through the Aged Care Royal Commission. Prior to holding the top job at RSL LifeCare she was deputy CEO at Whiddon Care.
Current RSL LifeCare CFO, Drew Pearce, has been appointed Acting CEO, pending a full search for a permanent replacement.
RSL LifeCare Chairman Andrew Condon said Ms. Leigh had brought energy and expertise to the role and had improved staff culture.
“Laurie Leigh has been the CEO of RSL LifeCare since 2018 and has worked tirelessly to rebuild and consolidate the organisation post the Bergin Inquiry,” he said.
“This has not been a simple task given the complex nature of aged care and veteran services, which were further compounded by a range of external factors that included bush fires, floods and the COVID-19 Pandemic, and likely changes and impacts from the Aged Care Royal Commission.
“The Board would like to thank Ms. Leigh for her leadership through this period.
” We now move to a new phase of the RSL LifeCare journey and we will be looking to appoint someone with the skills and experience commensurate with that task, as part of an orderly and planned leadership transition.”
A suitably qualified executive search firm will be appointed to identify a new CEO.
Ms. Leigh said she was proud of RSL LifeCare’s growth under her leadership, with the number of HomeCare clients doubling in two years, while Retirement Living and Residential Aged Care services also grew significantly.
“I would like to sincerely thank the RSL LifeCare Board for the opportunity to lead this iconic organisation over the last few years, and for their advice and guidance during that time,” she said.
“I am proud of our magnificent staff across the organisation, in particular those who so professionally cared for our residents during COVID and the bushfires. They have been absolutely exemplary. “
“I am delighted to be leaving the organisation in a strong position and I thank the entire team for helping achieve that.”
