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

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.

Rachael Lucas

General Manager

Rachael was appointed General Manager of Bowen Hospital in December 2020. She is responsible for the clinical and operational oversight of all aspects of the facilities and staff at Bowen.

Rachael has a long history in surgical nursing and has previously worked at Bowen’s sister hospital, Wakefield, in various roles including Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse and latterly as Clinical Operations Manager for the past 14 years. Rachael started her nursing career in 2000 at the Hutt Hospital working in the Burns & Plastic Surgical unit, specialising in pre and post-surgical care and wound care management. Prior to this she worked in the shipping industry managing containerised exports.

Rachael has extensive experience in leading teams and hospital governance. She has strong relationships with the specialists at both sites. She is secretary of the Bowen Medical Advisory Committee and leads Bowen’s compliance with all medical and safety standards, and legislative requirements.

Heileen Adriaanse

Theatre Manager

Hannah Sims

Quality & Infection Prevention Co-ordinator

Karen Tickelpenny

Gastroenterology Team Leader

Karen has been nursing at Bowen hospital in a variety of nursing and administration roles since 1990. With her special interest and experience in Gastroenterology she was appointed Team Leader In 2013.

Karen is committed to achieving high-quality care for our patients in a safe and supportive environment. Her collaborative leadership style enhances the team approach and facilitates a culture of continuous improvement in patient care provision.

Elinore Harper-Spiller

Ward Services Manager

Michelle Moses

Support Services Manager

Tina Garde

Education Coordinator