Just weeks after announcing his decision to retire as Peoplecare chief executive of 36 years Michael Bassingthwaighte has accepted an invitation to join the IRT board of directors.
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Mr Bassingthwaighte will take up the position, vacated by Patrick Reid when he was appointed IRT CEO, around the same time as he finishes his long career with Peoplecare on July 6.
IRT chair Mike Halloran approached Mr Bassingthwaighte about a month ago because he knew what a valuable asset it would be to have someone on the board with some a great wealth of experience and knowledge.
“When we appointed Patrick as CEO in February we had a big skills gap on our board. Michael has been a very successful CEO and experienced director (on many health industry boards) and has skills in healthcare,” Mr Halloran said.
“The things that Michael and his team have done at Peoplecare in terms of member customer satisfaction, and the cultural changes they have made, are absolutely astounding.”
Other members of the IRT board are Mr Halloran, Tineke Robinson, Peter Fitzgerald, Dr Lee Moerman, Mike Hyde and Anita Mulrooney.
When Mr Bassingthwaighte publicly announced his decision to step down as CEO in April he indicated he would be looking for places to make a contribution.
“Maintaining some relavence in one, two or three organisations has always been in my mind. But I am not wanting to over commit either. I want to do some things that I am interested in and where I can add some value and make a difference,” he said.
“So when Mike approached me a month ago it was instantly of interest. I am really looking forward to being part of another iconic Wollongong headquartered company. I am really thrilled that Mike and the board saw fit to ask me.”
Mr Bassingthwaighte said with thousands of residents and clients supported in aged care and more than 1,100 employees in the region IRT was a great opportunity for him to make a positive contribution to the community for a large number of people.
Mr Halloran said IRT and Peoplecare had a good mutual respect for each other and he and Mr Bassingthwaighte have worked together well before on the board of the Illawarra Business Chamber and the Red Shield Business Appeal Committee.
All the organisations Mr Bassingthwaighte has been involved with have been values based and had a common purpose to really focus on the people they service.
He said another synergy was he is staying on the board of COORDINARE where IRT is also represented.
“We formed that consortium three or four years ago to bid for and win the PHN (Primary Health Network) for the southern NSW region. We have each had a nominated sport on that board and the Peoplecare board asked me if I would stay on as its nominee”.
- .Read more: Patrick Reid appointed as IRT Group CEO
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
