Following the decision of Rob Hankins to retire after 14 years as CEO of retirement villages and care operator ECH, Dr David Panter has been appointed as his replacement.

He comes from 10 years with SA Health where he was CEO of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network and most recently the Project Director for the new Royal Adelaide Hospital.

This experience included leading 10,000 staff and a $1.5 billion budget.

The ECH board has a master strategy to develop innovative accommodation and services for seniors Australians which will be the responsibility of Dr Panter to implement.