Interim Chief Executive Officer

The organisation

Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing the emergency care of ill and injured children through high-quality education for healthcare professionals. Established in 1997, APLS has built its reputation on a foundation of diversity, embracing clinicians from all backgrounds and specialities whilst fostering an inclusive learning environment that respects every participant’s experience and perspective.

The organisation conducts over 130 courses annually across more than 30 locations, training upwards of 2,500 clinicians each year through programmes that demonstrate recognition of the unique challenges faced by healthcare professionals caring for critically ill children. APLS’s flagship programmes—Advanced Paediatric Life Support and Paediatric Life Support—are internationally recognised and supported by a comprehensive manual and award-winning online learning resources that reflect the organisation’s commitment to innovation in medical education.

With a dedicated training centre in Melbourne and outreach initiatives in developing countries, APLS demonstrates its commitment to sustainability by building lasting educational partnerships and capacity in regions where paediatric emergency care training is most needed. The organisation also hosts the biennial PAC Conference, one of the largest paediatric acute care events in the Asia-Pacific region, which serves as a platform for sharing innovative practices whilst celebrating the diverse expertise within the paediatric emergency care community.

The brief

In early February 2025, a board member reached out to Brooker Consulting on a Wednesday afternoon to discuss our executive search and selection process. They were seeking to recruit an exceptional interim chief executive officer following the departure of their long-standing CEO.

The organisation needed someone who would naturally embody their core values,Diversity, Respect, Recognition, Innovation, Sustainability, while addressing several immediate challenges around key decision-making and operational effectiveness. Our role would be to identify a leader capable of stepping into this complex environment and guiding the organisation through this transitional period with both strategic insight and practical expertise.

The process

Initially, the interim executive was expected to serve for three months while a permanent candidate was sourced. The role required someone to lead the Melbourne-based team, bringing strong operational and financial leadership alongside corporate governance expertise. Equally important was finding someone with exceptional people skills to manage team members across multiple locations, stabilise the group, and foster cohesion after a period of organisational uncertainty. An immediate start was essential to help the broader team unite and move forward together.

The outcome

Our search moved quickly. Within thirty-six hours, we had identified and presented three strong candidates to the selection panel. All three were interviewed within three days of receiving the original brief. Following a thorough interview process, background checks, and additional assessments, Cameron Glover was appointed to the interim position. 

Cameron brings over fifteen years of non-profit executive experience, including five as CEO of Interplast Australia & New Zealand, where he transformed international programming during COVID-19 and secured major funding, including from the World Health Organisation. He has led complex change across sectors—from international development to criminal history services—driving organisational takeovers, governance reforms, and strategic shifts. A skilled relationship builder, Cameron has engaged stakeholders from grassroots supporters to ministers and high-profile donors, facilitating Interplast’s largest-ever private gift. His consulting work has sharpened his strategic planning skills and enabled fast, effective improvements in dynamic environments.

Cameron was immediately available and was able to commence just one week after the appointment decision, with all necessary paperwork and logistics arranged in the intervening days.

Since taking on the role, Cameron has brought remarkable stability to both the organisation and its team. Working through a complex mix of priorities, challenges, and opportunities, Cameron has enabled the board to see that the organisation is heading in an excellent direction, with clear potential for further strategic development ahead. The initial three-month appointment has been extended indefinitely while the board takes time to properly assess the requirements for the permanent role—a testament to the trust and confidence Cameron has earned through exceptional performance in this interim capacity.