Patrick Reid has resigned after eight years as IRT’s CEO. Photo: IRT.
IRT is on the hunt for a new CEO following the resignation of Patrick Reid, who had been in the role for eight years.
IRT chair Peter Fitzgerald thanked Mr Reid for his loyalty and leadership through some of the organisation’s most defining moments.
He said Mr Reid had retired to “pursue the next chapter of his career in a similar role with another community services organisation”.
“As the role is with an organisation regarded as one of our competitors he has stepped away from day-to-day duties and a search for a permanent appointment to the role will soon begin as interim arrangements are made,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
IRT’s home care and retirement living executive general manager Ross Gallagher has been appointed interim CEO.
IRT is one of Australia’s largest community-owned providers of independent living, aged care and home care, with more than 40 communities and home care service hubs in NSW, the ACT and Qld.
Originally known as Illawarra Retirement Trust, the organisation was founded in 1969 by Bulli Hospital medical superintendent Dr Max Diment.
Mr Fitzgerald said Mr Reid’s leadership had been outstanding.
“From navigating the complexities of the Royal Commission and the implementation of the Aged Care Quality Standards, to guiding us through bushfires, floods and a global pandemic – his impact has been significant and lasting,” he said.
“He leaves with our gratitude and best wishes for the next chapter of his career.”
Mr Fitzgerald said while there was never a good time for CEOs to leave great organisations like IRT, he believed Patrick was leaving it in the safe hands of IRT’s leaders.
“The team at IRT is steadfast in its commitment to delivering on our goals and future strategy and continuing to provide the care and services that our older people need,” he said.
“Ross has a depth of experience with IRT and has stood shoulder to shoulder with us over the past six years through our many challenges and opportunities,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Meanwhile, IRT has denied claims by the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) that it had failed to pass on government-funded pay rises resulting from the Fair Work Commission Aged Care Work Value Case decision.
NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish claimed IRT had refused to provide its employees with the March work value increase that other registered nurses (RNs) and enrolled nurses (ENs) working in aged care facilities across Australia have received.
“It is our expectation that the federal government’s funding will be passed on in full to workers following the Fair Work Commission’s ruling which highlighted the historic undervaluing of the female-dominated care industry.”
Before he resigned, Mr Reid said the company had delivered the government-funded pay rises.
