14 January 2019

Colman joins the organisation after working as the Chief Operating Officer at Lifeline Australia and also has previous experience as the Chief of Staff to the Minister for Mental Health for the NSW Government.

St John of God Health Care Group Chief Executive Officer Dr Shane Kelly said Colman’s experience in mental health leadership and his previous role in establishing the NSW Mental Health Commission will be invaluable.

“Colman has a diverse background across public, private and government, and brings a unique skillset to our organisation,” he said.

“Colman’s experience and expertise will aid in further developing our Richmond and Burwood hospitals as leading providers of private mental healthcare in NSW.”

Colman takes on the new combined chief executive officer role with a focus on aligning the organisation’s two Sydney mental health hospitals and further developing the facilities into centres of excellence.

“I am really excited to have this opportunity to lead the two hospitals and create a single mental health service to reduce the burden on consumers navigating our system to get help,” he said.

“I was drawn to this role in part due to the organisation's ethos and Values.The focus on hospitality, to me, is central to mental health care which is about providing compassionate care to people at one of the most difficult times in their life, so they can get help and become more resilient for the future.”

Colman, who has a background in psychiatric nursing, said making the mental health system easier to navigate and improving access to care was essential to help address the rising rates of suicide in Australia.

“When I first moved from clinical care to mental health strategy and leadership roles, I saw the opportunity to shift a system to help more people,” he said.

“Whether I am caring for someone in hospital or taking a higher level role, I find it incredibly rewarding to help people who are struggling and vulnerable.”

Colman started in the role on 14 January 2019.