Men of League Foundation Welcomes CEO

The Chairman of the Men of League Foundation, Professor the Honourable Stephen Martin, has today announced the appointment of Stephen Lowndes as Chief Executive Officer commencing 25 June 2018.

Mr Lowndes is currently CEO of Royal Rehab and his ten years at its helm included working closely with and strategising for the Royal Rehab Foundation, leading in the development of the Royal Rehab’s new Rehabilitation Centre, Sargood on Collaroy, Royal Rehab Private Hospital and introducing new service initiatives to improve quality of life outcomes for clients as well as becoming a provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

He brings outstanding experience as a widely respected and long-term CEO with strong business improvement, strategic planning and corporate governance capability in the health, youth, aged care and disability services areas. He has delivered positive, sustainable and impactful cultural changes and business practices to previous roles at Aged and Community Services Association of NSW and ACT and Manchester Unity Australia Ltd as well as within Royal Rehab, improving their organisational effectiveness and sustainability.

With his detailed knowledge of legislation and regulation pertaining to charities and not-for-profit companies, his experience as a Company Secretary and board director, Mr Lowndes understands well the increasingly contestable market for charitable support and the accountable distribution of benevolent funds.

“The Men of League Foundation, of which I am an existing member, is one I have long admired, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead such a well-respected and active charitable foundation. While the client overlay is not totally identical, Royal Rehab and Men of League Foundation have worked together previously, and I have a well-developed understanding, regard and empathy for the Foundation’s assistance and support activities. I have seen first-hand the drive for continual improvement this organisation has demonstrated. Its vital wellbeing delivery to the rugby league family means the Men of League Foundation is known nation-wide as the compassionate heart of the game. It is a strong base on which to build its future,” Mr Lowndes said.

“I am absolutely delighted that someone of Stephen’s reputation, energy and capabilities has chosen to lead our organisation at a critical and exciting stage of our evolution as the charity of rugby league,” Professor Martin said.

“The men, women and children we assist every day deserve the highest level of professionalism we can bring to the operation and strategic direction of this wonderful charitable foundation. With our highly qualified and deeply engaged national board providing direction and oversight, Stephen leading our staff, committees and volunteers to ever greater outcomes and the staunch support of our members, I am confident we are extremely well placed for the next stage of our growth.”