An acting president has been appointed after three big names quit the board. Plus news from CSL, Vision Australia, Healius and the federal government.
The Australian Psychological Society has appointed current director Andrew Chua as acting president in the wake of three resignations late last month.
Dr Sara Quinn, president from November 2024, Bianca Comfort, vice-president and chair of the organisation’s NDIS working group, and non-executive director (and current CEO of Ramsay Health Care) Tamara Cavenett, all resigned on Friday 26 September.
HSD has reached out to all three for comment, as no public reason has been given for the resignations, but so far nobody is commenting.
We also contacted APS CEO Dr Zena Burgess for comment and received the following response:
“Each Director provided their own reasons for resigning which we’re not at liberty to share,” she said.
“What we can share is that, at times, there have been healthy differences within the Board.
“This Board began with the united focus on increased transparency and improving our governance, policies and processes.
“The Board is committed to and active with these principles and ensuring that tangible outcomes continue to be delivered for members.
The APS operates under the Constitution and Board governance policies. Services continue as normal and Acting President Andrew Chua provides stability and governance continuity.”
Mr Chua has been an APS board member since November 2024 and is a counsellor at Deakin University. He has 30 years’ experience.
“We are grateful for the time and energy Sara, Bianca and Tamara contributed during their time on the APS Board,” said Dr Burgess.
Professor Monica Thielking has been appointed as a replacement director for the position of general director, APS division of psychological research, education and training – for a term which began on 30 September 2025 and will finish at the 2025 AGM.
Anthony Cichello has been appointed as a replacement director for the position of general director, APS division of colleges, clinical – for the same term.
CSL’s CFO succession
Global biotherapeutics giant CSL has announced that its former chief strategy officer Ken Lim took over as chief financial officer as of Tuesday of this week.
Former CFO Joy Linton will stay with CSL for a transition period and then retire.
“Joy has been an impactful leader over the past five years and has built a strong finance team,” said CSL CEO and managing director Dr Paul McKenzie.
“Joy’s extensive experience and leadership skills have been invaluable over this time, and we thank her for her contributions to CSL.”
Mr Lim joined CSL back in 2013 and was CSO from September 2023.
“Ken’s appointment is a reflection of the depth of executive talent at the company,” said Dr McKenzie.
“He has more than a decade of experience in senior executive roles at CSL and will bring strategic thinking and a wealth of knowledge to the CFO role.
“We look forward to Ken’s continued efforts as we work together to continue to deliver enduring impact for our patients, our people and our shareholders.”
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New CEO for Vision Australia
Former COO of Villa Maria Catholic Homes David Williamson has been appointed as CEO of Vision Australia after a 12-month recruitment process.
“Like many organisations in the disability sector, Vision Australia is currently responding to a number of challenges, including economic conditions, increased competition and ongoing funding reform,” said VA chair Bill Jolley.
“The Vision Australia Board believes David’s experience in the sector and leading a large organisation will be pivotal in Vision Australia’s ongoing evolution to be a modern and sustainable organisation.”
According to the VA announcement there were more than 500 applications for the job.
“Lived experience of blindness or low vision was included as a desirable attribute in the selection criteria, which David possesses,” said Mr Jolley.
“In balancing that with David’s professional skills and experience, the Board strongly believes David is the correct choice.”
Mr Williamson said:
“I’m excited and honoured to be joining Vision Australia. It is a privilege to be serving the blind and low vision community at such an amazing organisation.”
In announcing the appointment, Mr Jolley also paid tribute to Justine Heath, who has filled the Acting CEO role for more than 12 months.
“Justine’s contribution in the acting CEO role has been immense and the Board extends a sincere thanks on behalf of the entire organisation for her leadership and commitment during the time in the role,” he said.
“Justine’s leadership ensured Vision Australia has continued to deliver on its mission of supporting people who are blind or have low vision and has also played a key role in the advancement of a new strategy to support the organisation to continue to do so in the long term.”
Mr Williamson will start in the role on Monday 20 October.
New Healius CFO
Major pathology provider Healius has appointed Andrew Thomson, former chief financial and commercial officer of BIS Industries, as its new CFO, effective from next Monday.
He has previously held leadership roles at Pacific National, Broadspectrum (formerly Transfield) and BHP.
“I am pleased to be joining Healius at such a transformative time for the business and look forward to working with [CEO] Paul [Anderson] and the management team to deliver the T27 plan for the benefit of all Healius stakeholders,” said Mr Thomson.
Mr Thomson is replacing Steve Humphries who is retiring after almost six years with the business. He was appointed as CFO in March 2024, after holding the role of deputy CFO since February 2020.
“I am delighted to appoint Andrew to the role of CFO. Andrew’s experience in complex multinational businesses, coupled with strong commercial acumen will be critical as we work to deliver our T27 strategic plan,” said Mr Anderson.
“I would like to thank Steve for his valuable contribution and support, and dedication to Healius. Together with the entire Healius team, I wish him all the very best for his retirement.”
Healius also announced the appointment of Eric Swayn as national laboratory operations manager.
He has held senior roles with Australian Clinical Labs (ACL), where he was the CEO of SA/NT, and Healthscope Pathology. Most recently he has worked with New Zealand pathology group, Awanui. He will join the business in November.
National rural health deputy commissioners appointed
The Albanese government has appointed Professor Linda Deravin as deputy commissioner for nursing, and Associate Professor Geoff Argus as deputy commissioner for allied health.
Professor Deravin is a proud Wiradjuri woman with kinship ties to Bathurst, NSW and brings more than 40 years of experience in the nursing profession. Her expertise spans aged care, primary health care, rural health, emergency care, First Nations health and wellbeing, and health leadership and management. She is head of school and dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba.
Professor Argus was born and raised on the Darling Downs in Queensland. He is a clinical psychologist and has worked across regional and rural and remote Australia for more than 20 years. He is the director of rural health with the University of Queensland Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.
The new deputy commissioners, along with commissioner Professor Jenny May, will “provide a rural focus to the government’s strategies, policies and plans to make sure the health and wellbeing needs of rural Australians are considered and acted on”.
“Linda and Geoff bring decades of experience and a strong commitment to rural communities to the team, and I’m confident they will be powerful advocates for improving health outcomes across the country,” said Professor May.
“They will deepen the office’s team-based approach, which will help ensure that the voices of regional, rural and remote Australians are heard in national health policy.”