RYM - New governance appointments at Ryman Healthcare

Thursday 21st March 2024

Ryman Healthcare (Ryman) has announced the appointment of David Pitman as an independent director of Ryman and Dr Bernadette Eather as Clinical Advisor to Ryman’s Clinical Governance Committee.

Ryman Chairman Dean Hamilton said he was pleased to have such capable people appointed to governance roles at the company.

David Pitman, originally an aeronautical engineer, has spent much of his career at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Based in Australia, David consulted primarily to the financial services sector and rose to be the Partner leading the firm’s Asia Pacific Corporate Finance & Strategy practice. In 2007 David moved to Stockland Corporation as EGM Strategy and Corporate Development and was subsequently appointed as the CEO of Stockland’s Retirement Living division. In his four years in that role, David led a substantial turnaround in the performance and culture of the business, successfully building it to a nationwide portfolio of over 60 villages through organic developments and acquisitions, including the acquisition and integration of Aevum.

David then returned to BCG, this time in Boston, where he was Global Finance Director, responsible for the firm’s finance operations, accounting and control across 50 countries. David returned to BCG in Sydney in mid-2018 where he held a senior advisor role, before moving into private consulting.

“David brings strong strategic and transformation experience across a range of sectors to the Board. In addition, his hands-on experience in leading a large scale, multi-state, Australia based retirement living business will be invaluable,” said Mr. Hamilton.

David will join the Board on 1 May 2024, eventually replacing Geoff Cummings who is retiring at this year’s Annual Shareholder Meeting. “David’s appointment continues the process of refreshing Board leadership, with four new directors appointed over the last 12 months,” he added.

Dr Bernadette Eather is a highly regarded clinical governance professional in Australia. Bernadette originally graduated with a Diploma in Applied Science (Nursing), then went on to achieve a Master of Health Management, a Doctor in Nursing and a Master of Health and Medical Law.

Bernadette is the Chief Nurse and Clinical Service Director for Ramsay Health Care, prior to which she was the NSW Director of Patient Safety at the Clinical Excellence Commission.

Ryman director Kate Munnings, who chairs the Board’s Clinical Governance Committee said she was very pleased to appoint Bernadette as an advisor to that committee. “Bernadette will bring a strong balance of commercial and clinical understanding to the role. Bernadette, along with existing New Zealand-based advisor Dr Tim Wilkinson (who brings extensive geriatrician experience) will provide valuable external oversight and input to our clinical governance processes. Providing great care to our residents is a critical part of the Ryman purpose and having strong governance in this area is important.”

Bernadette will join the committee on 2 April 2024 and will replace Dr David Kerr who is retiring at 31 March 2024.

About Ryman Healthcare:

Ryman Healthcare was founded in Christchurch in 1984 and owns and operates 48 retirement villages in New Zealand and Australia. Ryman villages are home to 14,200 residents, and the company employs 7,600 staff.

Ryman Healthcare - New governance appointments_FINAL

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