Affect consultancy Social Ventures Australia has begun the brand new 12 months with a brand new boss, with James Toomey taking the reins from former chief government Suzie Riddell after six years within the high function.
A former advisor at Bain & Firm, Riddell declared her intention to step down as CEO of Social Ventures Australia (SVA) in the midst of final 12 months, having altogether served with the not-for-profit social sector consultancy for near a decade and a half.
Riddell’s choice sparked the hunt for a brand new chief, with former Mission Australia CEO James Toomey finally tapped as her alternative, bringing 4 a long time price of expertise throughout the social and public sectors in Australia and the UK.
SVA chair Rob Koczkar stated the agency had been dedicated to discovering the precise particular person to drive its innovation agenda and ship most affect, and was delighted with the appointment, including; “I want to say how grateful we’re for Suzie’s dedication to this organisation and the best way she has primed SVA to proceed leveraging its appreciable and distinctive strengths underneath James’ management.”
Having began out in legislation enforcement within the UK, Toomey quickly pivoted to a profession within the social sector, with a concentrate on baby safety, youth justice and household companies. In 2011, he took up a senior place with Mission Australia, earlier than later serving because the charity’s CEO for 4 and a half years to 2022 after which as a deputy secretary throughout the NSW communities & justice division.
As well as, Toomey has collaborated on the formation of numerous organisations and social initiatives aimed toward tackling points equivalent to homelessness, together with the Constellation Mission (in partnership with PwC) and the Finish Road Sleeping Collaboration, the latter for which he served as inaugural co-chair amongst different director stints for numerous not-for-profit organisations.
The subsequent chapter
“SVA is in a singular place within the social sector, and I’m extremely excited concerning the alternative to work with the group and companions to drive higher outcomes,” Toomey stated. “I’ve lengthy admired SVA and have recognized Suzie for a number of years. I look ahead to working carefully with the group as we work collectively to problem orthodox eager about what is taken into account ‘too laborious’.”
Established in 2002 as a collaboration between The Benevolent Society, the AMP Basis, Work Ventures, and The Smith Household, SVA in line with its annual report consulted on over 260 tasks throughout greater than a dozen sectors final 12 months, together with making eight formal authorities submissions, its work altogether supporting greater than 430,000 individuals “with lived expertise of drawback.”
“It has been an unimaginable privilege to be part of this organisation for the previous 14 years, and I’m happy with the affect we have had,” Riddell stated of her departure. “I’m excited to see what comes subsequent at SVA. We’re on such a constructive trajectory, and have a extremely engaged group of proficient individuals. SVA can be in good fingers with James and all of the incredible leaders throughout the organisation.”
