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St Vincent’s – Australia’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care service provider – has announced Paul O’Sullivan as its new Chair, commencing 1 August.
Mr O’Sullivan – whose past roles include CEO, Optus Australia and CEO, Group Consumer Singtel; and who is currently Chair of Singtel Optus, Western Sydney Airport Company, and ANZ Bank – has been a Director of St Vincent’s since 2019, and Deputy Chair since 2024.
He will replace current Chair, Paul McClintock AO, who is retiring from the St Vincent’s board after 12 years of service, including six years as Chair.
Mr McClintock will also step down from his position as a Director on the Catholic Health Australia Board, which Mr O’Sullivan will assume.
Richard Haddock AO, the Chair of Mary Aikenhead Ministries – the body which acts as stewards of the work of the Sisters of Charity, the founders of St Vincent’s, and appoints the organisation’s Directors – said he was grateful for the leadership and contributions of both men.
“I’m extremely happy that Paul has agreed to continue his association with St Vincent’s, particularly as the organisation passes through a period of immense change and transition in health and aged care,” said Richard.
“Over the last 12 years, St Vincent’s has acquired and built new hospitals and research centres while transforming others. It has expanded its footprint in aged care, and played a lead role in Australia’s response to the COVID pandemic. None of that would have been possible without Paul McClintock’s wisdom and judgement,” said Richard.
Mr McClintock, who was Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Cabinet Policy Unit during the Howard Government – acting as Prime Minister John Howard’s most senior personal adviser on strategic directions and policy formulation – as well as periods as Chair of Medibank Private, the COAG Reform Council, and as Commissioner of the Health Insurance Commission, said it had been a privilege to serve St Vincent’s for more than a decade.
“St Vincent’s is one of Australia’s greatest purpose-driven organisations. Its history is the history of Australian healthcare. Founded from nothing by five nuns from Ireland – its hospitals the sites of so many Australian medical firsts – St Vincent’s is a name synonymous with healthcare excellence and compassion. I’ve been privileged to have played a part in its story,” said Mr McClintock.
Sector at crossroads
Mr O’Sullivan said he was taking on the role of St Vincent’s Chair at a time of enormous change within the sector.
“From any perspective, Australia’s health and aged care system is at a crossroads,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
“Australia has an ageing population, rising rates of chronic illness, and serious challenges within both its private and public health systems.
“Throughout its long history, St Vincent’s has always displayed an appetite for a challenge and there are many examples of when it has grasped the opportunity to remake itself or lead from the front.
“One of the best examples is when St Vincent’s in Sydney established Australia’s first health service for people with HIV/AIDS in 1984 at a time when people with the virus were shunned by all other major hospitals. Or when we established Australia’s first needle exchange program in a famous act of civic leadership.
“I’m proud to be associated with an organisation with that rich heritage. I’m similarly proud to be part of an organisation which has such a strong and abiding Mission – to care for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable – which is core to everything it does.
“These are uncertain times for health and aged care, but St Vincent’s looks to the future with optimism,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
New era
Chris Blake, CEO of St Vincent’s, said the organisation looked forward to beginning a new era with Paul O’Sullivan as Chair.
“Through his already substantial connection with St Vincent’s, Paul O’Sullivan is deeply aware of the challenges our sector faces. We are very grateful that he has agreed to further that long association by becoming Chair,” said Chris.
“The entire St Vincent’s organisation extends its gratitude to Paul McClintock for his remarkable work over more than a decade. We all similarly wish him well for the future.”
