CEO Transition

This year saw a significant change in leadership for WentWest with our CEO, Ray Messom, leaving to return to his home country, Canada. This provided an opportunity for our Executive Director, Strategic Commissioning and Insights, Michelle Quinn, to step into the role of Interim CEO for five months, until our new CEO, Andrew Newton, could join us on 1 July 2024.

WentWest now commissions more programs focused on the social determinants of health than ever before. Ray pioneered numerous new integrated care models, focusing on the utilisation of multidisciplinary and cross-agency teams, and lived experience, value-based, outcome focused, person-centred care. Ray fostered a vibrant, creative and supportive culture at WentWest.

Michelle has been leading the Strategic Commissioning and Insights directorate as Executive Director for over four years and has acted in the role of CEO several times. With over 30 years’ experience in the Australian and UK health and social care systems, Michelle was well-positioned to lead WentWest through its transition period and served as Interim CEO with exceptional commitment to WentWest’s vision and values.

In March, WentWest was pleased to announce that Andrew Newton was appointed the next CEO of WentWest with commencement in the new financial year. Andrew joined us from his most recent role as CEO of Northern Beaches Public-Private Partnership, Healthscope, where he has exemplified outstanding leadership and vision for over four years.

Andrew’s dedication to fostering engagement with staff, local communities and stakeholders, notably including GPs and Primary Health Networks, has been amply demonstrated in his most recent role at Healthscope and, before that as Southern NSW Local Health District CEO and in earlier Western Sydney roles, aligning perfectly with WentWest’s mission.

His leadership will enable WentWest to continue its contributions in this era of health care innovation and reform. This focus is crucial as we continue to support general practice and integrate services across the Western Sydney region, always with the end goal of improving health equity and outcomes for our diverse communities.

Upon Andrew’s arrival, Michelle resumed her pivotal role in leading the Strategic Commissioning and Insights directorate as Executive Director.