Insurance & Care NSW (icare) has announced the upcoming departure of its chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director, Richard Harding, scheduled for October 2024.
Harding, who assumed his role at icare in 2021, steered the organisation through a tumultuous period, marked by heightened public scrutiny and operational challenges.
During his tenure, Harding spearheaded initiatives that significantly bolstered the organisation’s performance and laid the groundwork for its future stability, icare claimed in a Press release.
Commenting on the resignation, icare chair John Robertson acknowledged Harding’s pivotal role in redirecting the organisation towards a trajectory of progress.
“Richard’s leadership has been unwavering, with a focus on ensuring the organisation is providing the best possible outcomes for the people relying on the insurance schemes operated by icare. He has shown resilience during some challenging times, resetting the organisation’s focus, stabilising performance, and delivering on public expectations,” he said.
One of Harding’s notable contributions was the introduction of a new claims model at icare, which is expected to enhance service outcomes for both injured workers and their employers. This reform, alongside the execution of icare’s comprehensive improvement program and the enhancement of its risk and governance protocols, has positioned the organisation for ongoing progress.
Additionally, Harding was instrumental in cultivating a culture of openness, transparency, and constructive engagement within icare, according to Robertson. This cultural shift has significantly empowered icare’s personnel to contribute effectively to its mission, it was claimed.
Harding expressed his appreciation for the icare team’s dedication and support and highlighted their collective achievements while expressing enthusiasm for the continued advancement of icare’s mission.
“Everyone at icare has consistently focused on delivering better outcomes for the people we serve. I’m proud of what we have all achieved together and look forward to seeing momentum build, and the team continue delivering better outcomes for vulnerable people,” he said.
Following Harding’s announcement, icare has initiated the process of finding his successor.
