IB Woman
Issue No. 65 - June/July 2012
Anne-Marie changes daily
The word ‘change’ invokes fear in many corporate executives but Anne-Marie Gillard, General Manager of Health and Community Services at ACH Group, deals with change on a daily – and sometimes hourly – basis.
In fact, Anne-Marie joined the major aged care provider in early 2011 while the organisation was undergoing a significant internal restructure.
“It is a very interesting time for aged care at the moment,” she says. “The industry is particularly susceptible to a variety of external factors including changing policies and new technologies, and as a result, the environment in which we operate is continually evolving.
“There is an underlying need for ACH Group to constantly respond to these changes with new workplace models, business practices and skill sets, and to change the way we provide our services to meet the needs of the people we support.
“For example, as part of our recent internal restructure, a specific Innovation Division was created to demonstrate our strategic focus on scanning for and developing future opportunities in the aged care arena.”
Responsible for 685 staff and 23,000 health and community clients in South Australia and Victoria every year, Anne-Marie drives the strategic development and management of ACH Group’s health and community operations.
With risk and financial management, executive leadership, service innovation and development, developing strategic partnerships and ensuring a high level and quality of customer care all falling in her purview, a typical day is atypical.
“It is normal for my daily plan to be frequently adjusted as priorities change, making it difficult to plan for each day. Successfully leading change is one of the most complex challenges I face,” Anne-Marie says.
“However, I believe the many strengths women can bring to executive roles, such as multi-tasking, have been an advantage in my role.
“By placing an emphasis on st...
