ACON looked far and wide for their new CEO, but the perfect candidate was much closer to home. Currently ACON’s Director of Community Health, Nicolas Parkhill will become the organisation’s CEO on Thursday.

After Stevie Clayton’s resignation from the position in July, ACON said it would consider both local and international candidates to fill the role. Of the new appointment, ACON says it’s a challenging and exciting role to fill.

“We currently have 150 staff and 700 volunteers working across nine locations in NSW in partnership with a wide range of government, healthcare and community organisations,” says ACON President Mark Orr. “Leading such a complex and diverse organisation is an enormous challenge but we’re confident that Nic’s knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and dedication will ensure that ACON continues to meet the needs and expectations of the people and communities we serve.”

Parkhill was involved with ACON as a campaign coordinator in the mid-90s and is currently Director of Community Health. Parkhill says he’s “delighted” to take up the CEO position with Australia’s largest LGBTI health organisation.

“Having worked closely with ACON’s Board, staff and volunteers for the last three years, I have an enormous amount of respect for their expertise, dedication and hard work, and I look forward to working with them and our stakeholders as we continue to build our community’s health and wellbeing,” says Parkhill.

Outgoing CEO Clayton wished Parkhill well in his new role and said “Nic genuinely understands and values the unique character of the communities we serve.”