Our Executive Leadership

Chris Price

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Chris brings to Japara more than 25 years’ management and finance experience at the executive level, the majority obtained with ASX listed companies.

His entrée into the professional world came via KPMG in 1987, where he rose quickly from the position of auditor, to senior consulting roles in corporate recovery and risk management. Seeking to drive outcomes from within a business, rather than simply advise, Chris switched to the client side from 1995: firstly, at PMP Limited, then many years later at Crowe Horwath Australia, where he would ultimately become Chief Executive Officer.

Since joining Japara in 2015 as CFO, his knowledge and capabilities in investor relations, corporate governance, banking, acquisitions and capital management have realised significant improvements to the business — and continue to do so.

Forthright but fair, Chris is an articulate communicator and skilled negotiator who confronts every challenge with honesty, intellect and insight. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University.

Chris was appointed CEO and Managing Director in March 2020.

Anthony Rice

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Investment Officer

Anthony joined Japara from Macquarie Group, where as a Managing Director, he led the firm’s aged care sector coverage and helped a number of aged care groups prepare for
their initial public offering, and large corporate merger and acquisition transactions.

A real estate and healthcare sector specialist during his 20 years in investment banking, his expertise in corporate strategy, capital raising and mergers and acquisitions enables Japara to unlock the value of its asset base to fund home and service improvements, while also creating opportunities to expand into new markets. Anthony describes his switch from arm’s-length adviser to key decision maker in a mission-driven organisation as deeply fulfilling—personally and professionally.

Mindful of the need to give back, he has been a volunteer with Cabrini Health since 2015, where he is a Non-Executive Director of the Board of Cabrini and a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee. Anthony holds a Masters in Applied Finance from the University of Melbourne and is a Chartered Accountant.

Valeria Camara

Chief HR Officer

A highly educated, widely travelled, and greatly respected leader in her field, Valeria’s 2012 entrée to the aged living sector was driven by a desire for greater meaning in her work life—and to make a difference once she found it. Six years later she would be recognised by Human Resources Magazine as heading one of the best HR teams in Australia.

Committed to a lifelong career in the healthcare industry, Valeria’s unique ability to connect, enable and unite is inspiring Japara staff at every level to find their purpose, think like leaders, and be a positive influence on the lives of those around them. An avid reader and podcast listener, her desire for self-improvement is constant; not simply for the sake of new knowledge, but with the aim of applying it to further evolve Japara’s cultural strengths. She currently holds tertiary qualifications in human resource management, hotel management and leadership.

Lindon Le Griffon

Chief Operations Officer

Lindon joined Japara from the not-for-profit sector, where he was responsible for the operations, strategic development and continuous improvement of a large residential aged care and retirement living portfolio.

A healthcare professional whose extensive aged care experience spans England, China and Australia, Lindon’s 30-year career has taken him from frontline aged care provision to key leadership roles in aged care related disciplines, including nursing, quality, funding, operations and aged care site construction.

Admired and respected for his integrity and ability to motivate, Lindon prides himself on bringing out the best in people and making a positive impact to their lives. Dedicated to delivering exceptional care, he holds himself to the highest standards and instils in his team the purpose, skills and confidence necessary to achieve outcomes that embody his commitment to quality.

Lindon holds post graduate qualifications in gerontics, management and project management.

Jo Gatehouse

Chief Clinical Governance & Risk Officer

Jo joined Japara with a wealth of experience leading Quality, Risk & Innovation improvements across the health, disability and aged
care sectors. She has a well- developed understanding of the Aged Care Standards complemented by an in-depth understanding of person-centred care.

An Occupational Therapist by background, Jo has also worked as a Clinical Occupational Therapist and Senior Clinician in aged persons’ mental health. Working in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors over many years, Jo has considerable experience in Clinical Governance and a deep understanding of consumer engagement, patient and resident experience.

Cameron Mackay

Group Executive – Information Communications and Technology

Cameron is an award-winning, senior ICT leader who has specialised in the aged care sector for more than 15 years.

Recruited initially to the role of Chief Technology Officer, he became a member of Japara’s Executive Leadership in late 2019. His appointment recognised both the strategic importance of technology in the continual enhancement of clinical care to residents, and Cameron’s exceptional expertise in its procurement, implementation and management.

A passionate, outcome-focused IT professional and engaging, empathetic leader, he is rarely without a smile. Cameron’s team comprises operational and project specialists, and he takes equal pride in their responsiveness to everyday support issues, and ability to deliver new technology solutions that combine robust security and availability.

Cameron was the founding chair of a national aged care peak body ICT Leaders Group. He is a Senior Member and Certified Professional of the Australian Computer Society and holds a tertiary qualification in management. He is a dedicated, lifelong volunteer in his local community.

Stuart Nicolson

Group Executive – Senior Living

Stuart joined Japara in November 2019 to lead its growth in the independent living sector, an area in which he has specialised for 14 years.

In his former positions as CEO of Retirement Alliance and, more recently, Seniors Living CEO at Folkstone, Stuart acquired, developed and managed retirement village assets with a gross value of more than $900M. He established operating models for independent living, serviced apartments and home care services, with both businesses setting industry benchmarks in key performance metrics.

A strategic thinker and innovator, Stuart’s achievements have been underpinned by a deep insight into consumer expectations, enabling the creation of outstanding resident experiences built on great accommodation, and highly personalised care and services.

Communication has also been pivotal to his performance as a leader. Stuart sets clear objectives, backs his people and processes to deliver, and measures his own success by theirs.

Stuart was a Director of the Retirement Living Council from 2008-19 and its Deputy Chair from 2013-14. He holds an MBA and an Arts Degree from the University of Melbourne.

Executive leadership