Ryman Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Cheyne Chalmers has been appointed the company’s first New Zealand CEO as it expands internationally.
Cheyne (above), who started in the role on 13 June, has been COO of Ryman since 2020, and was chosen after an international search. Group CEO Richard Umbers (pictured) said her ascension was proof of the deep leadership talent in the
Ryman team.
“She knows Ryman well. She arrived just as the COVID-19 pandemic began, and her leadership throughout the crisis has been exceptional," he said.
Prior to Ryman Cheyne was Executive Director Residential and Support Services/Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Monash Health in Melbourne.
Cheyne will report to Richard as Group CEO, in a structure mirroring the group’s Australian division headed up by Cameron Holland since 2021. She says she is looking forward to leading the growth of Ryman in NZ.
“On an excitement scale of one to 10 I’m at about 11. I’ve loved Ryman since I joined, because of the difference we make to the lives of our residents and their families. I enjoy being in a company with a strong culture and purpose," she said.
“I’m looking forward to building new village communities in New Zealand and we’ve got an exciting strategy to roll out, I am thrilled about shaping our future.”
Ryman has 38 villages in New Zealand with 12,000 residents; nine more are under construction with seven in the pipeline.
