Baptistcare Announces Russell Bricknell as New CEO

Baptistcare in Western Australia has announced the appointment of Mr Russell Bricknell as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2017.

Mr Bricknell has an extensive background in the aged care and community services sector, holds degrees in education, science and a masters in business administration, is a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

He was previously the Chief Executive of Aged Care Channel, overseeing operations in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand. Prior to this role, Mr Bricknell was Chief Operating Officer of Australian Home Care, a leading provider of home based care to people with disabilities in NSW and Victoria, General Manager of BaptistCare NSW and ACT, and Executive Director of Churches of Christ Care in Queensland.

Announcing the appointment today, Baptistcare Board Chair Mr Garry McGrechan said he looked forward to working with Mr Bricknell to strategically position Baptistcare in a rapidly changing market.

“I am delighted Russell is joining Baptistcare as our new CEO and am extremely confident he is ideally qualified and experienced to lead Baptistcare in this new era of increased customer choice and competition,” he said.

“Russell’s leadership skills and extensive change management experience demonstrate that he is well placed to realise our vision to transform and enrich the lives of every person we support and every colleague we work alongside.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Mr Bricknell explained he has a passion for delivering high quality care that positively impacts the lives of residents, customers and their families.

“I’m honoured and excited to have been selected to lead this organisation. Together with the team, I look forward to making a real difference in the lives of people we care for and support,” he said.

Mr McGrechan also recognised the significant contribution of Mr Wayne Belcher OAM who took on the role of Interim CEO during the executive recruitment process.

“I’d like to thank Wayne for his stewardship of Baptistcare over the last few months and for his willingness to step into the role at such short notice,” he said.

“Wayne has recently left Baptistcare to pursue an executive leadership role with another provider. Given the imminent arrival of our new CEO, I am now taking on the role of Interim CEO until Russell commences.”

Mr Bricknell lived in Perth as a child, was educated in Queensland and will relocate from Sydney with his wife, Kerryn. One of his adult children will move to Perth whilst the other will remain in Sydney to pursue her tertiary studies.

Click here to find out more about Baptistcare's aged care services.