Pride Aged Living 2025 Review – A Year of Growth and Impact
How we did
2024–25 was a year of two halves for us. At the start, momentum slowed as the sector waited to see how the new Aged Care Act would impact providers and consumers. Then, in December, it was as if someone flicked the switch - momentum returned in full force.
We achieved a record number of assignments, expanded our team, and partnered with more providers than ever before. This growth has strengthened our capacity to meet the sector’s evolving needs.
Our thought leadership and sector engagement also deepened throughout the year. We published 20 insights, hosted 6 webinars with Inside Ageing, published our first White Paper on Additional Services, and welcomed record attendance at our conference C-suite and Directors’ dinner. We look forward to partnering with Russell Kennedy for our 2025 dinner during the Ageing Australia Conference on the Gold Coast in October.
As part of our ongoing commitment to giving back, we’ve donated more to charities and causes this year than ever before, continuing to contribute a portion of our revenue to support the community.
Leadership Transition: Passing the Baton
When I started Pride Aged Living, I was confident that if our services were relevant to the sector, we would be successful. However, I didn’t really know where that success would come from.
James and the team have since led the way, helping providers improve financial outcomes by optimising resourcing and adopting Additional Services and, more recently, Higher Every Day Living Fees. These have become the foundation of our success.
While it's flattering that my training logs tell me I have the fitness age of a 20-year-old, the reality is that I’m now well into my sixties. At this age, anything can happen. After careful consultation with James and Katrina, my co-owners, we agreed that now was the right time for me to pass the baton.
As of July 1:
and we have welcomed two new owners:
See our announcement: A new leadership structure for continued growth
While I’m stepping down from leadership, I’m not leaving. I am continuing as a Director and supporting Stephen as he leads our Strategy and Governance consulting division, assisting clients pursuing mergers and acquisitions, and developing our accommodation optimisation services alongside George. Following the success of our FY2025 White Paper on Additional Services, we plan to release a white paper on accommodation in FY2026.
I also have some new service ideas I’m excited to research and develop.
From the start, James, Katrina and I agreed that we would rather remain small and preserve the high quality of our advice than compromise it for the sake of growth. Looking back, I’m proud that we have achieved both.
As we face an uncertain future, we must identify where we can add the most value under the new Act, how to integrate AI into our services, and how to ensure the sustainability of the platform we’ve built.
Implementing our succession plan now gives the new team a strong platform and exciting opportunities to continue the sustained growth we’ve experienced over the last eight years as we set sail for 2030.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
Building on this momentum, our priorities for FY25-26 focus on preparing providers for the new Aged Care Act taking effect on 1 November and supporting them through ongoing sector changes. Our key areas include:
- Providing strategic guidance to navigate sector reforms
- Transitioning from Additional Services to HELF in residential care
- Optimising accommodation strategy in residential care
- Strengthening clinical governance maturity across residential and home care
- Optimising home care performance
- Delivering practical thought leadership across the sector
Thank you to everyone in this fulfilling sector whom I’ve had the privilege to meet on this journey. Special thanks to Joseph Zhang, who took the leap of faith with me at the start, and to my wife Jane and family for their ongoing support.
There is a proverb that has travelled with me for many years:
“A chord of three strands is not easily broken.”
James and Katrina, together, we have been that chord.
Underpinning all that we have achieved so far is our commitment to our core values:
Professionalism
Respect
Innovation
Dynamism
Empowerment
In FY26, we look forward to partnering with providers through the changes brought by the new Aged Care Act and helping them deliver meaningful outcomes. Thank you to our clients and industry connections for your continued trust — we take pride in your success.
Want to learn how we can support your organisation in 2026?
Get in touch with our team today.