Daryl Starkey, Kellie Dean join genU board

The board of loss-making Geelong service provider genU has had a further shake-up.

genU chair Ingrid Williams and new board member Elaine Carbines. Picture: Supplied.

The board of loss-making Geelong service provider genU has had a further shake up with two more appointments coming soon after Elaine Carbines joined the organisation.

This week’s annual meeting saw former long-time Karingal chief executive Daryl Starkey appointed as a director.

It comes nearly a decade after Mr Starkey’s resignation from Karingal, which went on to merge with St Laurence, thus creating genU.

Tasmanian-based Kellie Dean also join the board after previously serving for seven years as a director of Li-Ve, which genU acquired in March 2023.

Board chair Ingrid Williams was re-elected, and along with Mr Starkey and Ms Dean, each have been appointed for a three-year term.

Daryl Starkey resigned as Karingal’s chief executive in 2015. Picture: Mike Dugdale.

As reported earlier this month, Elaine Carbines, a former state Labor MP and G21 chief executive, has filled a casual vacancy on the board, replacing Leanne Meehan who had one year of her term remaining.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in the past year, and how we have started to transform genU and reposition it for a sustainable future,” Ms Williams said.

In its 2023/24 annual report, released in late October, genU recorded a loss of almost $30m.

Revenue of $345m was generated during the period, a lower than expected result that stemmed from falls in the areas of disability employment services and allied health, which, in turn, was attributed to ongoing pricing constraints, wage pressures and staff shortages.

However, Ms Williams has pointed to a better than budgeted result in the first quarter of this financial year as evidence that genU is turning the corner.

She welcomed the new directors and said their diverse skill set would be a valuable asset for genU.

Ms Dean and Mr Starkey replaced the outgoing directors David Bartlett and Kris Peach.

Mr Bartlett was previously premier of Tasmania and chair of Li-Ve.

“On behalf of genU, I want to thank you for your outstanding contributions to the board, and importantly, the significant roles you played helping identify and shape our future direction during a challenging period of change,” Ms Williams said of the pair.

In June, genU chief executive Clare Amies, with the support of Ms Williams, stared down a petition to oust her that was purportedly launched by an anonymous group of disgruntled employees.

Among the key 2023/24 achievements highlighted by genU were 1.8 million hours of disability support and a 94 per cent client satisfaction rate.

Originally published as Daryl Starkey, Kellie Dean join genU board