Hawaiian Group chief operating officer Michael Heath has been appointed chief executive and outgoing MSWA boss Marcus Stafford will be chair of large not-for-profit Activ Foundation.
Hawaiian Group chief operating officer Michael Heath has been appointed chief executive and outgoing MSWA boss Marcus Stafford will be chair of large not-for-profit Activ Foundation.
Prior to joining Hawaiian in 2016, Mr Heath worked as the chief executive of St Ives Group and Perth Racing and held senior executive management roles at the RAC for 16 years.
He serves on several boards including MercyCare and the Australian Institute of Management WA and is a committee member of the Carbine Club of WA.
Outgoing Activ chair Neil Guard said Mr Heath was well-placed to lead Activ as its independence strategy and transformation program continued to be rolled out.
“He has a strong track record in organisational achievement, operations management, business development and growth, strategic planning and partnerships, customer satisfaction and support, and change management,” Mr Guard said.
“In addition, Michael’s clear passion for community involvement is evidenced through his many voluntary roles with not-for-profit organisations and through his own charity, which supports athletes with disability.”
He will replace Danielle Newport, who resigned from the position in July. Mr Heath joins the organisation on Novermber 22.
Mr Stafford is also joining Activ.
He has served as chief executive of fellow disability services organisation MSWA since 2002 and has previously announced he would step down from this role in October 2021.
Mr Stafford has received several awards for his work at the provider including the Australian Institute of Management award for the most outstanding not-for-profit chief executive and a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the disability sector.
He led MSWA through the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and managed to keep the organisation profitable, while many others are struggling to break even.
Before joining MSWA, he worked in the corporate sector for Bankwest.
He is also deputy chair and vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA board.
Mr Guard said Mr Stafford was a strong executive leader with a corporate background who moved into and succeeded in the not-for-profit space.
“Activ’s current focus is the delivery of our independence strategy and a successful organisational transformation, which will see Activ consistently deliver high quality supports and proven pathways to independence in line with our customers’ goals,” Mr Guard said.
“Marcus’ skillset and experience puts Activ in a strong position for future success.”
Mr Guard will continue as executive chair until the Activ AGM on November 18.
According to Business News’ Data & Insights, Activ is the largest charitable organisation in WA, with revenue of $126.7 million in 2020.
