Our Team

Adjunct Associate Professor Simon Keating

Group Chief Executive Officer

Simon is a seasoned senior executive with extensive experience in the healthcare sector internationally across both the public and private sectors, including private equity and not-for-profits. Among many qualifications, he holds a Master of Health Science from La Trobe University (2008), a Master of Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University (2019) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Simon has worked as a CEO in Private and Public Healthcare, Aged Care and Retirement Living and in Primary Health.

He has also specialised in growth in private equity-backed companies with a tenure as the Managing Director of iMedX Australia and New Zealand; with his most recent role as a CEO of McKenzie Aged Care Group; successfully growing and divesting the business in February 2023.

Simon has a very warm, pragmatic and open leadership style. He has had broad experience in driving outcomes and growth within complex stakeholder environments during his twenty-five years in healthcare. He has a significant breadth of health and commercial experience, which is a perfect fit for Evolution.

Matthew Clarke

Chief Financial Officer

Matthew Clarke brings extensive experience providing strategic financial leadership across a portfolio of businesses with over 20 years of experience in finance and commercial management roles across the services and resources sectors. Returning to New Zealand in 2019 after 15 years spent mostly in the UK and Australia, Matthew has previously held senior finance positions with global quality assurance provider Intertek Group, including Group Treasurer in London and most recently Regional CFO based in Sydney.

Rebecca Atkins

Group Human Resources Manager

Jeff Arthur

General Manager Property & Projects

Michael Quirke

Chief Executive, Hospitals & Day Surgeries

Dr. Christine Howard-Brown

Chief Executive Health & Wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio includes:
• ABI Rehabilitation
• Proactive
• Evolve
• Proactive Occupational Health
• Evolution Care Pathways.

Health quality and equity improvements have been the backbone of Christine’s career, originally training as a registered nurse and since then holding senior leadership positions in health, rehabilitation and disability within large government organisations and as a consultant. This mahi has involved leading (and sponsoring) several national strategies, action plans and service developments / designs that have focused on achieving equitable access and outcomes for people requiring rehabilitation following serious trauma (including spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)).

As current Chair of the National Rehabilitation Providers Group and Governance Group Chair of the Spinal Cord Register, her mantra of ‘the little things matter’ remains unwavered. Discovering what the little things are for kiritaki, whānau, kaimahi, you really have to genuinely connect with them through every interaction and that’s what Chris holds firm to her approach to mahi.

Prior to this, Chris led the team at ABI Rehabilitation as Chief Executive Officer for four and a half years. With a Master of Business Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Medicine, coupled with her health qualifications and experience, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that supports advancing healthcare services in Aotearoa.

Chris takes a practical, collaborative and innovative approach to her role, and takes time to build relationships to strengthen outcomes.

Lesley Henderson

General Manager

Lesley is an accomplished Registered Nurse with over 13 years’ experience in senior management roles within the private healthcare sector across New Zealand and Australia. Before her appointment to join Evolution Healthcare as General Manager of Royston Day Surgery, Lesley held the position of General Manager at Moreton Eye Group, Brisbane. Here she was responsible for overseeing and commissioning of a new Day Hospital and three new clinics and developing strong relationships with specialists at Moreton Day Hospital.

Lesley is a highly motivated and effective manager, who prides herself on promoting excellence in the delivery of care and wellbeing for people requiring healthcare services. She has extensive experience in clinical expertise, leadership and management to ensure a safe, and evidence-based practice. Alongside this, Lesley coordinates exceptional patient care and builds a work environment and culture that demonstrates Evolution’s vision and values.

Nicola

Perioperative Services Manager

Nicola was appointed Perioperative Services Manager in November 2021. She is an experienced Operating Theatre Registered Nurse who has held positions across New Zealand and Australia. Through her nine years as a Registered Nurse, Nicola has worked across a vast scope of theatre work including rural and remote areas of Australia, where she continued to grow her leadership skills both within theatre and through the challenges of a rural theatre environment.

Most recently, Nicola was the Operating Theatre Coordinator at Royston Hospital where she provided exceptional management of five operation theatres and an endoscopy suite, including rostering of theatre staff, and ensuring the department runs smoothly at the only largest private surgical hospital in Hawke’s Bay.