St.Giles has appointed its first female chief executive.

The 85-year-old Tasmanian disability service provider has appointed its current CFO, Honni Pitt to the role left vacant by Andrew Billing in February.

St.Giles is one of Tasmania’s larger disability service providers with nearly 400 staff supporting 3000 Tasmanians from sites in Launceston, Hobart and Burnie.

Chapman Executive identified five candidates and Ms Pitt’s appointment was supported, unanimously by St.Giles board.

Ms Pitt joined St.Giles in October 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and has been acting CEO since November 2022.

“During her six months as acting CEO Honni has strengthened and grown St.Giles’ political networks and increased the organisation’s access to key decision makers in Canberra,’’ St. Giles Board chair Christine Arnott said.

“She is a dynamic, compassionate businessperson who the Board believes will identify and develop growth opportunities with economic sustainability.

‘’On top of these strengths, she has an ongoing and very personal understanding of disability and very genuinely wants to contribute to providing better outcomes for those St.Giles serves,’’ Mrs Arnott said.

“Her appointment is especially timely after NDIS Minister Bill Shorten this week announced that more fiscal rigor would be applied to the scheme during the next two years.’’

Ms Pitt was an external auditor for Deloitte Australia in Launceston, Sydney and Canberra and after 10 years her potential was recognised when she was elevated into the institution’s path to partnership.

She returned to Tasmania to Bank of Us for eight years. She was Financial Controller and subsequently, Bank of Us Treasurer.

Ms Pitt joined St.Giles’ executive team in October 2020.

Since 2020 she has:

• Reviewed St.Giles operating structure and streamlined and consolidated financial reporting.
• Implemented risk and compliance functions.
• Developed state-wide organisational structure aligned with St.Giles mission and strategic goals.
• Significantly simplified and improved St.Giles financial reporting
• Implemented new enterprise resource and planning software.

Ms Pitt has governance experience and since 2018 she has served on the board of social enterprise dedicated to disability employment, Self-Help Workplace.

“St.Giles is a cherished, 85-year-old Tasmanian,’’ Ms Pitt said.

“It has positively impacted the lives of thousands. Many of us know someone who has been supported by St.Giles.

“I have a strong commercial and financial background and understand how these skills can work hand in hand with the emotion and passion required within disability sector.

“It is the balance of the two – commercial and caring – that is required to ensure future success of disability providers like St.Giles working within the NDIS.’’