Chief Executive Officer

The Organisation

UFS Dispensaries is a mutual organisation owned by its members, any profits generated are invested back into the business for the benefit of its members, customers and the community. UFS are keen supporters of a range of initiatives, organisations and community groups in the locations where their businesses operate. All members have the opportunity to participate in company affairs by attending the Annual General Meeting.

UFS Pharmacies was founded in the Central Victorian gold rush in 1872 as a not-for-profit friendly society. This membership organisation delivers a wide range of pharmacy and health related products and services to over 11,500 household members throughout the Greater Bendigo Region. The group now has five pharmacies (including the only 24 hr and drive thru facility in regional Victoria), an optical store and a day spa. UFS collaborates with fellow health providers and community organisations to support meaningful and effective investment in health and wellbeing initiatives across the Greater Bendigo region. The organisation contributes to the local community through its Building a Healthier Community Program which now distributes over $85,000 per year to groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes. The program is an essential part of the organisation’s ethos as a not-for-profit local institution.

The brief

The UFS Board of Directors invited Brooker Consulting to provide executive search and advisory services in the identification, assessment and recruitment of an outstanding CEO upon accepting the resignation of a long-standing Chief Executive.

An extensive briefing process ensued, which involved detailed interactions with the Board and the Nominations sub-committee.

The process

The campaign launched with a comprehensive combination of external advertising and targeted executive search and generated a high-quality shortlist.

The outcome

Extensive reference checking and further presentations to the Board resulted in Lois O’Callaghan accepting the role. 

Lois presented an extensive variety of experience in various health care and local government settings, most recently as CEO of Mallee Track Health and Community Service, a multi-purpose entity based in the North West of Victoria.