RACGP confirms appointment of new CEO

A former recipient of the coveted Harvard Club of Australia not-for-profit (NFP) fellowship, Dr Miles possesses a mix of health, research and clinical knowledge.
 
Trained as veterinarian, Dr Miles also has extensive executive leadership, marketing, communications, fundraising, change management and financial experience, along with a deep understanding of the tertiary, membership and NFP sectors.
 
His appointment follows the resignation of Dr Zena Burgess, Ph.D. as RACGP CEO in October 2019. Nick Williamson, who has been acting as interim CEO since then, will continue in that role until Dr Miles commences at RACGP.
 
RACGP President Dr Harry Nespolon welcomed the announcement and said he is confident Dr Miles has the right skill set to lead the college in 2020 and beyond.
 
‘Matthew was appointed following an extensive selection process featuring over 150 applicants, which just shows how highly the RACGP is held in the healthcare industry and broader community,’ he said.
 
‘[He] possesses a mix of health, research and clinical knowledge, whilst having extensive executive leadership, marketing, communications, fundraising and financial experience.
 
‘I would [also] like to thank Nick Williamson for his great work as acting CEO. He performed this role during a challenging time as the RACGP sought to support members and patients affected by the devastating summer bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic.’
 
During Dr Miles’ seven-year tenure, MS Research Australia received multiple awards, including Australian Business Award (ABA) Charity of the Year, Telstra Australian Charity of the Year, and four consecutive ABA Outstanding Achievement Awards.
 
He was also shortlisted for NFP CEO of the Year 2016 by CEO Magazine, and last year was part of a small team that developed, created and implemented The May 50k – a virtual fundraising initiative.
 
In only its second year, it raised more than $6.5 million in the month of May 2020 (in the middle of a global health and economic crisis) after raising $2.1 million in 2019.
 
Dr Miles said that the application process has given him an early insight into the college and that he is looking forward to starting the new role.
 
‘It’s been a long and thorough process, through which I’ve gained the beginning of an understanding of the RACGP and its long and valued history,’ Dr Miles said.
 
‘While I won’t profess to be a first-day expert on general practice, I do have a deep appreciation for the work of GPs in supporting the health of the Australian community.
 
‘[I’m] confident that working together with members, the Board and our key stakeholders will be the key to moving general practice forward in Australia.’
 
Aside from his work with MS Research Australia, Dr Miles is a former Board Trustee of the MS International Federation based in London, and was the Chair of its Fundraising Committee and a member of the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee.
 
He also is the former Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the International Progressive MS Alliance (based New York and globally) – a unique research collaboration involving 14 countries throughout the world.
 
Dr Nespolon said the college is at an important juncture with many challenges and opportunities ahead, and that he is looking forward to working with Dr Miles in the coming months.
 
‘Matthew comes to this new position with the expertise necessary to take on these tasks and affect real change,’ he said.
 
‘That includes the return of the training program for members, changes to continuing professional development and achieving cultural change within the organisation.
 
‘I look forward to working hand in glove with Matthew, talking openly about what we can achieve together in the narrow window of time I have left as RACGP President and preparing him for the challenges ahead.’
 
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CEO RACGP