Southern Cross Care Victoria to Farewell ‘Passionate and Transformational’ Leader

The chairman of the board of directors of Southern Cross Care Victoria, Greg van Mourik, has announced the early retirement of a “passionate and transformational leader”, long-serving chief executive officer Jan Horsnell.

Ill-health has compelled Ms Horsnell, who has been in the top post at Southern Cross Care Victoria for almost a decade, to reluctantly step down a year earlier than planned.

“We are indebted to Ms Horsnell for leading the transformation of Southern Cross Care Victoria into a unified, thriving and financially sustainable organisation that is wellplaced in every respect to meet the challenges of aged care into the future,” Mr van Mourik said.

“Ms Horsnell has been single-minded in pursuing our goal of “a good life for older people.

“Under Ms Horsnell’s leadership Southern Cross Care Victoria has overhauled its residential aged care portfolio, with major upgrades and new developments including our showpiece Dandenong and Keon Park homes. It has also become a leader in home-based care and consumer-directed care.”

Mr van Mourik said the board had accepted Ms Horsnell’s resignation with regret, and understood she needed to focus on her health. An executive search was underway, with the handover to the new CEO expected by late May.

Ms Horsnell said the decision to prioritise managing a long-term health condition “so I can eventually enjoy my retirement” was made after “deep soul searching”.

“I will always be incredibly proud of what my team and I have achieved,” Ms Horsnell said.

“It has been such a privilege to have led this organisation through such a period of change. It is an honour to have had the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the older Victorians and to have been able to have some influence in public policy for older people throughout Australia.”

Ms Horsnell will also be standing aside from governance roles with Catholic Health Australia and Catholic Social Services at the end of her terms.

Mr van Mourik said that that given the breadth of industry and community roles played by Ms Horsnell her loss would be felt by the sector as a whole.

“I wish Ms Horsnell and her husband Stephen all the very best for months ahead. After tackling her health challenges, I hope the aged care sector can look forward to a reinvigorated Jan continuing to make a contribution in some capacity.”

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care (Vic).