Early in June, Australian not for profit village operator Catholic Homes welcomed new CEO John Fitzgerald into their ranks. Mr. Fitzgerald, the former chief operating officer at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, comes to his new role with a strong vision to strengthen the company’s operations within residential care and retirement villages.

As newly appointed CEO, Mr. Fitzgerald has made customer experience a priority, along with emphasizing the company’s value set and delivery of care, based on the Montessori concept of care with purpose.

“If we can get people to sample (our services), then I’m confident we will grow as people see what is offered is world class and best in class,” Mr. Fitzgerald said.

Additionally, Mr. Fitzgerald said plans for a significant build, intended to replace an older village facility in Guildford, had received development approval.

Catholic Homes chairman Peter Messer said Mr Fitzgerald’s track record in management and business development would give Catholic Homes the leadership it needed in a time of unprecedented growth and change in the sector.

“We look forward to leveraging John’s experience at the Harry Perkins Institute where he was responsible for leading the organisation through several new facility builds, negotiating stronger funding streams and cementing relationships with State and Federal governments,” Mr. Messer said.