The genU rollercoaster continues with the departure of a senior executive and the acquisition of WA organisation within 24 hours

The problems at Geelong-based not-for-profit genU have deepened with the departure of yet another key executive, just 24 hours before the organisation announced another acquisition.

Senior genU executive Travis Heeney has left the organisation abruptly. He is pictured here presenting Lynne Hill with her award for 15 years volunteering service last month. Picture: Supplied.

The tumultuous times of beleaguered Geelong disability service provider genU show no sign of abating following the departure of yet another senior executive.

Under-fire chief executive Clare Amies announced the immediate departure of chief operating officer Travis Heeney in an all-staff email late on Wednesday afternoon.

Just 24 hours later, Ms Amies confirmed genU had acquired Western Australian organisation Activ Foundation.

The move forms part of an aggressive growth phase and plan to increase genU’s footprint nationally across its core businesses of disability, ageing, training and employment services.

Mr Heeney joined the Geelong-based disability service provider little more than a year ago after serving as chief executive of Goulburn Ovens TAFE.

His resignation comes less than a fortnight after chief corporate officer and chief financial officer Travis Neal confirmed he would leave the not-for-profit after five years in early July.

genU boss Clare Amies. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Amies’ email, seen by the ‘Addy, does not detail the reasons behind Mr Heeney’s resignation.

A spokesman said genU was unable to comment on individual staff matters.

“On behalf of everyone at genU, I wish Travis every success in his next endeavours,”

the email read.

“Interim arrangements will be put in place to manage Travis’ key responsibilities until a permanent replacement is appointed, which will be communicated within the next week.”

Mr Heeney occupied the only executive role focused on service delivery.

He oversaw a significant restructure late last year that saw the number of streams within genU’s community, residential and pathways division cut from 11 to five.

A director appointed to one of those five streams has since left.

Multiple sources described the genU culture as “toxic”, with extremely low staff satisfaction.

A second online petition calling for the resignation of Ms Amies appeared on June 21 after genU’s leadership successfully lobbied Change.org to remove an earlier petition – that also named Mr Neal – due to its potentially defamatory nature.

“Let’s send an even stronger message to the board of genU that we simply will not tolerate Clare Amies remaining as CEO of genU, and that we need a new direction and fresh leadership who will get the organisation back on track,” the latest petition states.

Board chair Ingrid Williams said Ms Amies, who has headed the organisation for four years after leaving the top job at WorkSafe, had the full support of the board.

“We want to assure you that genU’s support for clients has not been impacted by this petition and the negative media coverage it has generated,” she said in a statement.

The Activ Foundation acquisition expands genU’s existing presence in WA through its MatchWorks employment services and genU training courses.

“Coming together puts us in an even stronger position, financially and influentially, to meet the opportunities and challenges in the disability support sector now, and into the future,” Ms Amies said.

Activ will progressively become part of genU during the upcoming financial year.

Its chief executive Michael Heath will remain for a short period in a consultative role to support a smooth and effective transition.

genU’s revenue fell 3 per cent to $410m last financial year, a total loss of $9.7m.

A larger loss is expected this period, sources said.

The Activ acquisition will see genU employ more than 5500 staff nationally, with almost 2000 of those based in the Geelong region.

Originally published as The genU rollercoaster continues with the departure of a senior executive and the acquisition of WA organisation within 24 hours