Regis Healthcare has named Andrew Kinkade as its new Managing Director and CEO, bringing over 20 years of experience from Bupa and other healthcare roles. His remuneration package includes a $900,000 salary plus a substantial sign-on equity award subject to shareholder approval.
- Andrew Kinkade to start as Regis CEO on 20 July 2026
- $900,000 fixed annual remuneration plus STI and LTI incentives
- $1.6 million sign-on equity award to compensate forfeited incentives
- Appointment follows Dr Linda Mellors’ resignation after six years
- Sign-on award contingent on regulatory and shareholder approvals
Experienced Healthcare Leader Takes the Helm at Regis
Regis Healthcare (ASX:REG) has secured a heavyweight replacement for outgoing CEO Dr Linda Mellors, appointing Andrew Kinkade to the top role effective 20 July 2026. Kinkade arrives with more than two decades of experience spanning aged care, healthcare, private equity, and investment banking, currently leading Bupa Villages & Aged Care. His leadership at Bupa, overseeing 8,000 staff across 57 locations, has been marked by operational transformation, growth, and navigating complex regulatory environments.
His appointment comes as Regis continues to execute an aggressive growth strategy, having recently expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and increased revenue, despite profit pressures amid profit dip and strategic acquisitions. The company’s board highlighted Kinkade’s blend of operational leadership and financial expertise as a perfect fit to drive Regis forward in a highly regulated and people-centric sector.
Remuneration Package Reflects Market Realities and Incentive Alignment
Kinkade’s remuneration package underscores the competitive nature of executive recruitment in aged care. He will receive a total fixed remuneration of $900,000 per annum, supplemented by short-term and long-term incentives that could double his pay if performance targets are met. The short-term incentive (STI) offers up to 50% of fixed pay, with a split between cash and deferred share rights, while the long-term incentive (LTI) could reach 100% of fixed pay, subject to three-year performance hurdles.
Notably, Regis has approved a $1.6 million sign-on equity award in performance rights to compensate Kinkade for forfeited incentives from his previous employer. This award vests over three years and includes malus and clawback provisions, reflecting regulatory sensitivities under the new Aged Care Act 2024. The sign-on award requires shareholder approval at the upcoming annual general meeting, with a cash alternative if the vote fails.
Leadership Transition Amid Sector Challenges and Strategic Growth
Kinkade will step into the role following Dr Linda Mellors’ departure after six and a half years, a transition announced last December and managed with a six-month notice period to ensure continuity. Mellors leaves Regis positioned strongly after steering the company through pandemic disruptions and regulatory reforms CEO Dr Linda Mellors to Step Down. Regis has been vocal about the critical need for government reforms to address the sector’s undersupply of quality aged care beds, targeting 10,000 residential aged care beds by FY28 through acquisitions and developments.
With Kinkade’s proven track record in operational and cultural transformation, the board is betting on his ability to sustain Regis’s growth momentum and improve clinical outcomes amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny. His background in both Australian and Asia Pacific healthcare markets, including directorship at Bupa Hong Kong, adds an international dimension to his leadership profile.
As the aged care sector braces for evolving regulatory frameworks and funding pressures, Kinkade’s appointment signals Regis’s intent to remain at the forefront of delivering high-quality care while navigating complex compliance landscapes.
Bottom Line?
The success of Andrew Kinkade’s tenure will hinge on navigating regulatory hurdles and delivering on growth targets amid a challenging aged care environment.
Questions in the middle?
- Will shareholder approval be granted for the $1.6 million sign-on equity award?
- How will Kinkade’s leadership influence Regis’s operational and financial performance?
- What impact will ongoing regulatory reforms have on executive remuneration and company strategy?