29 June 2005
Richmond Fellowship Names Board Appointments
The Board of Richmond Fellowship, the national provider of community-based support services, has confirmed two new
appointments to complete a review of the organisation’s governance.
Linda Constable and Tony Ahern, both of Christchurch, have accepted invitations to join the Richmond Board as casual
members ahead of Richmond’s AGM in October 2005.
Richmond’s acting chair, Meri Gibson, says the board is delighted to welcome the new members to complete a strong and
highly professional line-up. “These appointments complete a process which began late last year to strengthen the board
and add further expertise at the governance level,” she said. “We now have a board with very strong credentials, broad
experience in senior governance roles and many direct links to Richmond’s work in mental health, youth justice and
social services.”
Linda Constable is a resource management law specialist, professional director and consultant who holds a number of
senior directorships, including the chair of electricity network company Orion New Zealand Ltd. She is a director of
Ngai Tahu Development Corporation, the Canterbury Economic Development Fund and the Government’s railway infrastructure
company, ONTRACK. In her early career, Linda Constable worked for or served on the boards of a number of social
development agencies including Presbyterian Support Services and the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council. She is also a
former three-term Christchurch City Councillor, and has served on a number of high profile Government advisory groups
and inquiries, including the Local Government Commission and the Committee of Inquiry into Casinos.
Tony Ahern is a senior executive in the energy networks sector with experience in strategic management, risk management,
systems development and change management. He is currently engaged as a business consultant for Meridian Energy
subsidiary Arc Innovations working on the commercialisation of new technologies. He was previously head of marketing and
commercial operations for CIC Global, a US-based technology development company which had its development and
Australasian operations centre in Christchurch. …2 2
The Richmond board is now comprised of three senior legal professionals (including a District Court judge) a chartered
accountant, a business consultant from one of New Zealand’s largest companies, and two professional directors. Their
relevant associations with Richmond include: Mental Health Review Tribunals (convenor), the Health and Disability
Commissioner (mediator), Youth Court (lawyer), regional mental health services (district inspector) and various
community mental health, child health and support services (including Rainbow Children’s Health Trust, Te Aratu Trust,
La Famia Foundation).
Meri Gibson says Richmond is now well placed to address a number of difficult issues, including the need to end the next
financial year with an operating surplus, after recent deficits, and developing a strategic plan for the organisation’s
high-risk services.
Richmond has a particularly full agenda this year, including the development of an industry-leading information
technology platform, the trialling of an on-line alcohol support service, the further development of South Island
intellectual disability operations and NZQH accreditation.
The Board will also begin a search for a successor to chief executive Gerry Walmisley, who has signalled his intention
to retire when his contract expires.
About Richmond Fellowship Richmond Fellowship is a major provider of community health and support services throughout
New Zealand. The Fellowship has developed specialist services for a range of purchasers including the Ministry of
Health, Crown Public Health, Child Youth and Family Service and District Health Boards.
Services include support programmes for people with mental, psychiatric or psychological illness, respite and emergency
support, consumer based drop-in services, specialist youth services and dual diagnosis services (including intellectual
disability/mental illness).
ENDS