New Uniting Church agency announces first CEO

Public sector and community services professional Paul Linossier has been appointed as the inaugural Chief executive officer of the new Uniting Church community services organisation.

The new organisation will be formed from the merger of 20 UnitingCare agencies and Wesley Mission Victoria (WMV).

The network of UnitingCare agencies and WMV operate across metropolitan, regional and remote parts of Victoria and Tasmania offering a broad range of services and advocacy to support vulnerable people.

With a combined annual budget of about $237 million, over 3500 staff and 4000 volunteers, the services of the new organisation will include emergency relief, financial counselling, housing and homelessness services, employment services, early childhood services and Lifeline.

Linossier, currently the CEO of WMV, has more than three decades experience in leading organisational change and systems reform.

Inaugural Board chair Bronwyn Pike said she was delighted that Linossier had agreed to lead the new organisation given his broad experience.

“Paul is highly regarded in the public and community services sectors with a significant background in Uniting Church and other community service agencies, as well as experience in state government,” she said.

“He will bring to the organisation important skills in the areas of strategic planning and organisational review, which will be important as we seek to establish the new organisation.”

Linossier said he was both humbled and excited by the challenge of leading the new agency.

“UnitingCare agencies have a long history of supporting vulnerable Victorians and Tasmanians,” he said.

“As one unified agency and ministry of the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania this vital support will now be expanded and strengthened. I am proud to be working together with our agency leaders, dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners to continue to serve and advocate alongside those most in need.”

Linossier began the position on Monday 22nd August, 2016.