Ryman Managing Director stands down for health reasons
Ryman Healthcare Managing Director Simon Challies announced at today’s annual results briefing that he would be standing
down on June 30 for health reasons.
Simon joined the company as CFO in 1999, and took over as Chief Executive in 2006 from Ryman co-founder Kevin Hickman.
During his tenure Ryman Healthcare’s portfolio of villages has grown from 12 to 31. He led the company through the
Global Financial Crisis, the Christchurch earthquakes and oversaw its expansion into Melbourne.
Gordon MacLeod, Ryman’s Deputy Chief Executive and CFO, will take over as Chief Executive on June 30. Gordon joined
Ryman as CFO 10 years ago, and was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive in 2014.
Simon will continue as an advisor to the board until December 2018.
Simon was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2011 but has continued in the role since then with the full support of
the board.
“I first noticed the symptoms about a decade ago, but it was still a huge shock to get my diagnosis in 2011,’’ Simon
said. “I’ve been determined not to let it beat me.’’
“This is a demanding job, and I’ve realised this year that my health was deteriorating and it was taking too great a
toll on me personally, and on my family.’’
“I’m a great optimist and I think having Parkinson’s has made me a better MD of a healthcare company than I otherwise
might have been. It has given certainly me a degree of empathy and insight into the challenges our residents face, and
it has taught me to make every day count. I’m sad to be leaving Ryman, but I’m looking forward to spending more time
with my family and being able to contribute to the community in other ways.’’
“I’ve had an incredible 18 years at Ryman and I am really proud of what the team has achieved together. The time is
right to hand over to Gordy who I know has the same passion as I have for looking after our staff and residents. We have
a very strong and loyal management team and the company is in great shape for the huge growth we see ahead.’’
He thanked the board and his colleagues for their support.
“I’d also like to thank all our residents, families, shareholders, staff, and all our suppliers and contractors for your
support and trust over the years. I know I’m leaving the company in safe hands.’’
Ryman Chairman Dr David Kerr thanked Simon for his leadership and the enormous contribution he had made to the success
of Ryman.
“It’s a sentinel moment for everyone at Ryman. Simon has been a wonderful colleague. He’s professional, hard-working,
creative, passionate and highly energised.’’
“He has been a Managing Director who has never hesitated to walk the floor in the villages, and is widely known as
‘Simon from Ryman’. This title conveys the fact that he is deeply interested in what this company does, the people it
cares for, and the people it employs. Not only is he interested, but he is approachable in a way that is unusual in such
a large company.’’
He said Simon had hit every stretch target the board had set for him, except for taking any extended leave. Ryman’s
growth had been extraordinary under his leadership, which had been recognised by his success in a number of awards,
including being named Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year in 2014.
“These moments or transitions are never easy, but this has been made much easier by the attention to succession planning
that has been given by Simon.’’
He said the board was delighted that Gordon MacLeod was stepping into the role.
“Gordy has shown a deep understanding and appreciation of the business and what we do as a company. He has that great
balance of both the right cultural fit for the role and the right skill set to lead this growing company and I know the
Board look forward to working with him in the future.’’
Gordon MacLeod said David Bennett, who joined Ryman four years ago as Financial Controller, would be his successor as
CFO.
David is a Chartered Accountant who previously worked at a big four accounting firm and trained as an auditor.
“Since he joined Ryman in 2013 David’s made a great impression. His family has had a long involvement in the industry
and so he has a great understanding of aged care. He’s enormously well respected by his colleagues and is a great asset
to Ryman,’’ Gordon said.
ends