Ken Whelan is an experienced health sector leader with a career spanning more than 30 years in senior executive roles across New Zealand and Australia. His last CEO appointment was as Chief Executive of Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Australia’s largest public health authority.

Before that, Ken served as Deputy Director General (System Purchasing and Performance) for the New South Wales Ministry of Health. Originally trained as a nurse, he has spent the majority of his career leading complex health organisations, including more than 20 years as a Chief Executive.

Ken has led both provincial and metropolitan district health boards in New Zealand, as well as major tertiary and regional health services in Queensland. He has also held governance and advisory roles, including serving as a DHB Chair and as a Crown Monitor supporting underperforming boards on behalf of the Minister of Health. More recently, he was a Deputy Commissioner with Health New Zealand.

He brings a strong mix of strategic and operational expertise, and is passionate about delivering sustainable, high-quality healthcare that meets the needs of the communities it serves.