Alan Morrrison, CEO of the private Burnside Hospital in Adelaide and Deputy Chair of HESTA Super Fund, has been appointed Chief Executive of the profit-for-purpose organisation founded in 1964. He will assume his role in January 2026. 

Alan will replace Claire Scapinello who resigned as Chief Exectuvie in May after three years in the role. Interim Chief Executive Mark Watson, who also served as Interim Chief Executive in 2022, will work closely with Alan as part of a handover period. 

The appointment of Alan, who has more than 20 years of leadership across the health sector, followed an extensive recruitment process involving ECH’s Board of directors and the Chair of its Consumer Advisory Body.

He has overseen significant growth at Burnside Hospital, including the recent State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) approval for the hospital’s $65 million expansion. Prior to this, Alan was the CEO of Sportsmed for 11 years, and has worked in professional services with KPMG across various roles both in Australia and the United Kingdom, ECH said.

ECH Board Chair, Rosina Hislop, said Alan’s appointment positioned ECH well for the changes underway across the sector and the introduction of Support at Home.

“Alan is known for his innovative and insightful leadership and his ability to find original solutions for complex challenges,” she said.

“He has a proven record for delivering better outcomes for customers, staff and partners and fostering a strong, positive company culture. Alan is also experienced in guiding organisations through times of industry-wide change and uncertainty.

"His fresh perspective will enable ECH to best respond to the industry challenges and opportunities ahead and strengthen our reputation as an industry-leading provider of retirement living and care for older South Australians.”

In accepting the role of Chief Executive, Alan said he was proud to support ECH’s purpose for people to get more out of life.

“ECH plays an important role in the community, supporting more than 7,000 older South Australians to live independently at home or in a retirement village,” he said. “This makes it well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead."