Leadership 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.

Aarti Narain

Chief Financial Officer

Aarti brings with her a distinguished track record of leadership in financial strategy and operations across the healthcare and corporate sectors.

Prior to Evolution, Aarti served as CFO at Tamaki Health Limited from 2020, where she led key functions including finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), commercial, property and procurement, and legal. Her strategic oversight and ability to drive performance made a significant impact within one of New Zealand’s leading healthcare providers.

Aarti’s career spans global markets including Europe, the UK, and Australia. She has held senior roles at renowned organisations such as HEINEKEN, the BBC and PWC, equipping her with a deep and diverse financial acumen and a truly international perspective.

Her expertise in navigating the complexities of the healthcare industry, combined with a passion for driving sustainable growth, aligns strongly with Evolution’s ambitions. Aarti is inspired by the scale and diversity of Evolution’s hospital, health, and wellbeing portfolio, and is committed to delivering high-impact outcomes that support our continued success.

Denise Primrose

Acting Chief Operating Officer Hospitals & Day Surgeries

Dr. Christine Howard-Brown

Chief Executive Health & Wellbeing

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

Andrea Lawton

Chief People and Culture Officer

Andrea is an experienced people and culture leader and a qualified lawyer. Her 25+ years’ experience includes senior leadership roles with Carter Holt Harvey, Fonterra and the Ministry of Social Development as well as legal roles in-house and in private practice, where she specialised in employment law.

Andrea has led the development of multiple organisational people strategies, delivering initiatives that strengthened culture, enhanced employee engagement and developed leadership capability across the business.

She is deeply passionate about shaping positive workplace cultures that support people to deliver exceptional performance.

Jeff Arthur

General Manager Property & Projects

Jeff Arthur is the General Manager of Property & Projects at Evolution Healthcare, bringing over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, with a strong family background in the field. His career includes pivotal roles at Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Service and Health Infrastructure NSW in Australia, where he gained extensive experience in health project planning and delivery.

With more than 20 years of expertise in the healthcare sector, Jeff has successfully overseen a variety of complex health projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. Notable deliverables include the development of business cases for the Ministry of Health NSW and NSW Treasury, leading design teams, and managing the entire project lifecycles, from conception to post-construction review.

As Assistant Project Director and Project Director, Jeff has been involved in numerous major health projects, including the $320M Hornsby Hospital Stage 1 & 2, the $88M Byron Bay, and the $177M Wakefield Hospital. At Evolution Healthcare, Jeff has successfully planned and delivered over $300m worth of projects and continues to identify strong pipeline of new opportunities that enables Evolution to grow and expand the range of health services for the community.

His deep understanding of both the operational and capital aspects of health projects has made him an invaluable leader in the delivery of health infrastructure.

Neetha Alex-Kumar

General Counsel & Company Secretary

Neetha is an accomplished senior business leader and lawyer with over 15 years of experience in navigating complex legal landscapes. Her expertise lies in balancing risks and opportunities to help organisations achieve their strategic goals. Neetha has a proven track record of advising companies on legal matters, especially in regulated environments, ensuring that businesses are both compliant and aligned with their broader objectives. At Evolution Healthcare, Neetha provides invaluable legal guidance and strategic counsel, ensuring continued compliance and supporting the company in achieving its long-term goals. Her extensive experience in legal leadership and her ability to articulate complex issues clearly are key assets.

Ray Liu

Chief Digital Officer

Ray leads our digital and IT team building and supporting applications, data, and technology infrastructure for the Evolution Healthcare group. He is an experienced leader with a proven track record of aligning technology investment to business strategy and managing digital transformation in complex environments.

Ray previously served as General Manager IT for Green Cross Health who operate 330 pharmacies and 65 medical centres across New Zealand. He led the digital transformation that modernised systems across the retail and healthcare businesses to improve operational efficiency, customer engagement and support launch of new products and services. He also led significant work in mergers and acquisitions, providing IT due diligence and integration support.

Ray has also served in senior roles in Davanti/Merkle as Head of Consulting, Watercare, Suncorp NZ and Gentrack with experience in IT advisory, systems implementation, and programme delivery. He is known for his technical and business acumen, collaborative leadership style and is passionate about building high-performing teams to drive innovation and to ensure technology is true enabler for business.

Marion Webb

Integration Lead

As Integration Lead, Marion Webb is responsible for seamlessly incorporating newly acquired businesses into the Evolution Healthcare fold.

Marion’s professional expertise lies in delivering programs based on transformation, integration, and benefit realisation. Having worked as a trusted advisor for senior management teams at notable companies like Health NZ, Fonterra and PwC, she is highly qualified in the complex area of corporate mergers, acquisitions, and divestments.

Marion also brings a wealth of experience from Aotearoa’s health sector. Previously, she held the position of Assistant GM of Programmes and Performance at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā (Health New Zealand), which recently underwent a merger to simplify New Zealand’s healthcare system. Given her extensive background in corporate integration and her familiarity with the healthcare landscape, Marion is well-matched to Evolution Healthcare.

Marion plays a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and efficient integration of purchased acquisitions into Evolution Healthcare’s portfolio of businesses. Her ability to effectively manage these processes make her an invaluable asset to the Evolution Healthcare team.

Laura Blackburn

Group Marketing and Communications Manager

Evolution Healthcare’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Laura Blackburn, is a seasoned marketing professional with over two decades of experience in her field. With a strong background in the finance, insurance, and transport sectors, her expertise lies in managing cross-functional teams, collaborating effectively with stakeholders, and enhancing internal communications to align teams with business goals and objectives.

Laura’s career is highlighted by numerous achievements and her tenure showcases her ability to execute successful marketing campaigns across various media channels. Her skills in facilitating internal communication strategies have been instrumental in fostering a cohesive work environment and ensuring that all departments are aligned in driving Evolution Healthcare’s success.

Additionally, Laura has won eight marketing awards since 2010, reflecting her skills in market research and analysis to identify emerging trends and opportunities to drive revenue growth. These awards reflect her commitment to excellence and innovation in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

Laura plays a pivotal role in driving Evolution Healthcare’s growth and success. Passionate about creating impactful and memorable branding experiences, she provides ongoing insight that continues to enhance the business.

Karen Below Te Arawa | Ngāti Whakaue | Ngāti Rangiwewehi

Manahautū Ora | Senior Cultural Advisor

Meet Evolution Healthcare’s Manahautū Ora / Senior Cultural Advisor, Karen Below (affectionately called ‘KB’). KB works to promote culturally appropriate care that enhances outcomes for individuals of diverse backgrounds.

KB’s responsibilities include overseeing the establishment of Te Korowai Oranga, our groups cultural strategy and accountability tool, empowering our healthcare professionals and support staff to deliver people-centred care that respects cultural beliefs, practices, and values. She works collaboratively within our hospital and healthcare teams to foster an inclusive environment of understanding, respect, and support for both the workers, the patients under their care, and the fostering of community cultural partnerships external to Evolution.

With her own background taking root in her iwi, Te Arawa, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Wai, and He Hamoa, KB is adept at providing a sensitive, and responsive approach that answers to the individual nuances of other people and their communities.

KB is a Māori Researcher and recognised clinical specialist within, Occupational Therapy, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Concussion and Rongoā Māori. Her extensive expertise in health equity makes her a significant addition to Evolution Healthcare as a nurturing space that prioritises cultural competence and sensitivity.

Rebecca Atkins

Group Human Resources Manager

Tyler Bevins

Group Financial Controller

Nik Cheals

Group Procurement Manager

Scott Pickering

Evolution Board Chair

Scott was appointed Chair of Evolution Healthcare in July 2024. He is an experienced Non-Executive Director and CEO with over 35 years of international leadership across healthcare, insurance, and financial services.
He is also Chair of Fidelity Life Assurance Company Limited, an Independent Non-Executive Director of ASX-listed Insurance Australia Group (IAG), IAG New Zealand Limited, and Kiwi Group Capital Limited. In addition, Scott is an External Advisor to global consulting firm Bain & Co and runs his own leadership and management advisory business, Engage Consulting Limited.

Scott is recognised for building high-performing executive teams and leading significant business transformations that deliver better outcomes for customers and communities, while strengthening trust and confidence. His career has spanned both mature and emerging economies, giving him deep cultural awareness and adaptability.

From 2013 to 2021, Scott was Chief Executive of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), where he led the most significant transformation in the organisation’s 50-year history, modernising services and improving outcomes for millions of New Zealanders.

Previously, he served as Regional CEO for Central & Eastern Europe, the Middle East & Africa at Willis Towers Watson, one of the world’s largest insurance brokers. He also held senior CEO and regional leadership roles over two decades with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance (RSA) and Chubb Insurance across the Middle East, Africa, Japan, South East Asia, and Australasia.

Scott is an Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance, a Certified Insurance Professional, and a Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.

Paul DeSouza

QIC Appointed NED

Joining QIC in 2006, Paul is the co-leader of the Portfolio Management Group in QIC Infrastructure. He is also a member of the QIC Global Infrastructure Management Committee, Chairs the Investment Management Committee and is the portfolio manager for the QIC Global Infrastructure Fund.
Paul has more than 25 years’ investment management, banking and finance experience in the infrastructure sector.

Paul is a past Director of Brisbane Airport Corporation (continues as an Alternate Director), Nexus Day Hospitals Holdings Pty Ltd, Port of Brisbane, Epic Energy South Australia, Titles Queensland, Long Beach Court House and the Sea Swift group of companies.

Paul is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Business Accountancy (Honours) from the Queensland University of Technology.

Tom Hodgkinson

QIC Appointed NED

Tom is a Senior Principal in the QIC Global Infrastructure team having been with QIC since 2014. He is also on the Boards of Nexus Hospitals and Queensland Hydro as QIC’s nominated representative. During his time at QIC, Tom has been involved in the origination and execution of investment opportunities across Australia, Europe, and North America, covering PPP and social infrastructure sub-sectors, such as healthcare.

Within asset management, he is focused on the ongoing growth, governance and sustainability of existing assets.

Prior to QIC, Tom spent several years at London-based hedge fund Arrowgrass Capital Partners in their Distressed Opportunities team. He started his career at Deloitte where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked in the Corporate Restructuring and Forensic Accounting teams.

Kim Ngārimu

People and Culture Committee Chair

Kim Ngārimu is a former senior public servant, having held positions as Deputy Secretary Policy, Te Puni Kōkiri, Acting Chief Executive of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Acting Director of the Waitangi Tribunal.

Since 2014 she has been Director of her own public policy consulting business, and has held a wide range of governance roles. Alongside Evolution Healthcare, she currently holds governance roles with the Waitangi Tribunal and the Australian Medical Council’s Continuing Professional Development Homes Accreditation Advisory Committee. In the health sector she has previously held governance roles as Chair of Hauora Tairāwhiti DHB, Deputy Chair of Te Aka Whai Ora the Māori Health Authority, Member of the Medical Council of New Zealand, Member of the Australian Medical Council’s Specialist Education Advisory Committee, Member of the Capital and Coast DHB and Trustee of Ngāti Porou Hauora.

She is of Ngāti Porou descent, and lives in Gisborne. Kim is the Chair of the People and Culture Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee at Evolution.

Ben Thynne

Director

Ben has been in private healthcare for more than 20 years and has significant experience in acquiring, redeveloping and managing private hospitals with a focus of delivering excellence in healthcare. Prior to founding Evolution in 2011 and acting as the Managing Director until 2020, Ben was the Founder and Managing Director of Healthe Care Australia. In 2022, Ben rejoined the Healthe Care Board as Chair and is a current Director of the Australian Private Hospitals Association. Ben’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Law and a Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment. He has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Andrew Blair

Audit and Risk Committee Chair

Andrew is a Queenstown-based professional director and was appointed to the Evolution Healthcare Group Board of Directors in October 2020.

He has enjoyed a successful career in both the public and private sectors. He was CEO of Acurity Health Group (formerly Wakefield Health), and among several Ministerial appointments, he was Chair of both Hutt Valley and Capital & Coast District Health Boards.

In addition to being Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Evolution, Andrew also chairs Anglesea Hospital Limited and is a director on the boards of Shore Surgery Limited and Evolution Southern Cross Limited (Grace Hospital, Tauranga). He is also a director on the boards of Queenstown Airport Corporation Limited and NIB NZ Limited, where he will become Chair from 1 November 2025.

Dr Richard Grenfell / Chief Medical Director

Director

With over 35 years as a specialist Anaesthetist, Richard Grenfell founded Boulcott Hospital in Wellington, serving as founding Chairman and CEO. He has been intimately involved in the operational management whilst elevating the medical and surgical capability of the hospital since its inception. Richard stepped down from his role as Chairman in 2005 and as Managing Director in June 2015. He was a Director of Wakefield Hospital from 1989 to 1997 and is currently the Medical Director and a Director of Evolution Healthcare.