Our Team

Adjunct Associate Professor Simon Keating

Group Chief Executive Officer

Simon is a seasoned senior executive with extensive experience in the healthcare sector internationally across both the public and private sectors, including private equity and not-for-profits. Among many qualifications, he holds a Bachelor of Nursing from La Trobe University (1997 a Master of Health Science from La Trobe University (2008), a Master of Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University (2019) and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Simon was also selected to participate in the McKinsey & Company Executive Leadership programme in 2012 as a top ASX100 emerging talent.

Following a successful clinical career, Simon became Director of Medical and Critical Care Services at Cabrini Health Australia before joining Healthscope. He became the CEO of three health services (La Trobe Hospital, North Park Private Hospital and North Eastern Rehabilitation Centre) with 1000 staff. In developing his career opportunities and a desire for public health exposure, Simon became Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer with Northern Health in 2018, running Pathology, Radiology, Pharmacy, Mental Health, Language Services and Aboriginal Health. He has also specialized in growth in private equity-backed companies with a tenure as the Managing Director of iMedX Australia and New Zealand.

His most recent role was as a CEO of McKenzie Aged Care Group, successfully growing and divesting the business in February 2023.

Simon has a very warm, pragmatic and open leadership style. He has had broad experience in driving outcomes and growth within complex stakeholder environments during his twenty-five years in healthcare. He has a significant breadth of medical and commercial experience, which is a perfect fit for Evolution.

Matthew Clarke

Chief Financial Officer

Matthew Clarke brings extensive experience providing strategic financial leadership across a portfolio of businesses with over 20 years of experience in finance and commercial management roles across the services and resources sectors. Returning to New Zealand in 2019 after 15 years spent mostly in the UK and Australia, Matthew has previously held senior finance positions with global quality assurance provider Intertek Group, including Group Treasurer in London and most recently Regional CFO based in Sydney.

Rebecca Atkins

Human Resources Manager

Jeff Arthur

General Manager Property & Projects

Michael Quirke

Chief Executive, Hospitals & Day Surgeries

Dr. Christine Howard-Brown

CEO of Health and Wellbeing

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio includes:
• ABI Rehabilitation
• Proactive
• Evolve
• Proactive Occupational Health
• Evolution Care Pathways.

Health quality and equity improvements have been the backbone of Christine’s career, originally training as a registered nurse and since then holding senior leadership positions in health, rehabilitation and disability within large government organisations and as a consultant. This mahi has involved leading (and sponsoring) several national strategies, action plans and service developments / designs that have focused on achieving equitable access and outcomes for people requiring rehabilitation following serious trauma (including spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)).

As current Chair of the National Rehabilitation Providers Group and Governance Group Chair of the Spinal Cord Register, her mantra of ‘the little things matter’ remains unwavered. Discovering what the little things are for kiritaki, whānau, kaimahi, you really have to genuinely connect with them through every interaction and that’s what Chris holds firm to her approach to mahi.

Prior to this, Chris led the team at ABI Rehabilitation as Chief Executive Officer for four and a half years. With a Master of Business Administration and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Medicine, coupled with her health qualifications and experience, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that supports advancing healthcare services in Aotearoa.

Chris takes a practical, collaborative and innovative approach to her role, and takes time to build relationships to strengthen outcomes.

Christine Biggs

General Manager

Relocating from Te Whanganui-a-Tara and her role as Nursing Director at Te Whatu Ora Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley, Christine is highly respected healthcare professional and nurse who is passionate about making a difference to healthcare. Her vast experience in senior management roles, health management experience, and long-standing leadership roles will support Birthcare’s kaimahi in the continued provision of excellence in maternity care.

In her role as Nursing Director, Christine was a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Leadership Team (NAML) and sat on multiple steering and governance groups across the directorates she represented.

Angela Wilson

Clinical Midwife Manager – Auckland

Angela has extensive knowledge in midwifery with over 35 years of practice with her 12 years of experience at National Women’s Hospital which saw her grow through a variety of roles.

Angela has worked at Birthcare for 19 years as a midwife, and as the Clinical Midwife Manager for four of these years. As Clinical Midwife Manager Angela ensures the people at Birthcare are provided with exceptional care and compassion tailored to their needs.

Tala Brinsdon

Administration And Facility Services Manager