Vision Australia today announced the appointment of a new CEO, Mr Ron Hooton, the current CEO of New Zealand healthcare service provider, ProCare Health Limited.
Mr Hooton, who lives in New Zealand, will move to Melbourne to take up his appointment early in the New Year. Vision Australia provides services for and supports people who are blind or have low vision across most states of Australia.
Vision Australia Chair, Dr Kevin Murfitt, said Mr Hooton's skill set, career experience and professional history made him a perfect fit for positioning Vision Australia for a strong future and preparing for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
"He has strong financial management skills, a high level understanding of charitable organisations and a background in information and communications technology," Dr Murfitt said. "Mr Hooton will bring a wealth of experience and drive to the challenges faced by the organisation."
Mr Hooton has been the CEO of ProCare Health Limited (New Zealand's largest Primary Healthcare Organisation) for the past seven years. ProCare employs 750 doctors who provide care for 800,000 patients across the greater Auckland area. He presided over unprecedented growth, built financial sustainability, and managed the development of information and communications technologies that supported patient care.
Mr Hooton is also a director and former Chair of Childfund NZ, an international non-government organisation that distributes $12 million a year to development projects in third-world countries.
Dr Murfitt said that use of communications technology was the way of the future and it had many practical applications for Vision Australia's clients.
"Vision Australia is building a bridge to the future, with a greater emphasis on partnerships and use of technological solutions for more efficient service delivery."
His leadership approach is one of inclusiveness and empowerment, and we are looking forward to Ron joining us in achieving our primary objective in ensuring that people who are blind or have low vision can access and participate in every part of life they choose," Dr Murfitt said.