UnitingCare to farewell CEO Anne Cross in late 2017

UnitingCare Queensland today announced that Ms Anne Cross has decided not to seek renewal of her contract as Chief Executive Officer and pending the appointment of a successor, will be farewelled by the organisation in late 2017.

Chair of the UnitingCare Queensland Board, Mr Craig Barke, said, “It is with reluctance that we accept Anne’s decision not to seek renewal of her contract as CEO of UnitingCare Queensland at the end of this year as she pursues new professional and personal interests.

“Anne has been CEO of UnitingCare Queensland for more than 13 years and over that time has successfully led the organisation through various periods of change and growth to become one of Queensland’s largest and most successful not-for profit organisations.

“Under Anne’s leadership, UnitingCare Queensland has continued to achieve its mission to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities through its services delivered by BlueCare, UnitingCare’s Child and Family services, Lifeline and UnitingCare Health hospitals. In 2014, UnitingCare Queensland also expanded its delivery of services to the Northern Territory through the successful establishment of Australian Regional & Remote Community Services.

“She has led UnitingCare Queensland with warmth, wisdom, a deep commitment to the people UnitingCare serves, strong business acumen and strategic foresight. Her commitment to the community, the organisation and the Uniting Church over the past 13 years has been unfailing.

“In 2016 Anne initiated the next phase of UnitingCare Queensland’s journey by leading a strategic transformation of UnitingCare Queensland in response to unprecedented external environmental change. By establishing a new Executive Leadership Team and implementing a new operating model over the past 12 months, Anne has successfully positioned UnitingCare Queensland for long term sustainability and future success in health and community services.

“In the truest sense of intergenerational stewardship, Anne leaves a legacy of sustained organisational success and a strong platform from which the next generation of leaders at UnitingCare Queensland can take the organisation forward to even greater levels of achievement and success,” said Mr Barke.

Commenting on her upcoming departure, UnitingCare Queensland CEO, Ms Anne Cross said, “It is with mixed feelings that I have made the decision to leave UnitingCare Queensland at the end of 2017. I have been privileged to lead an organisation that touches the daily lives of tens of thousands of people in communities right across Queensland and the Northern Territory and that contributes to the wellbeing of our community through research, social policy development and partnerships.

"I am proud of all that UnitingCare Queensland has achieved and I am confident that it is well positioned for sustained future success,” said Ms Cross.

A top-tier search and selection firm has been appointed by the UnitingCare Queensland Board to identify a successor, expected to be announced later in 2017. Until that time, Ms Cross will continue to fulfil her normal duties as CEO of UnitingCare Queensland.

Media Contact

Matthew Cuming Head of Corporate Affairs, UnitingCare Queensland

Mob: 0450 536 788 | Email: matthew.cuming@ucareqld.com.au