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Announcement

OFFICE: RYM: Ryman Managing Director stands down for health reasons

19 May 2017 09:21NZX
Ryman Healthcare Managing Director Simon Challies announced at today''s annual
results briefing that he would be standing down on June 30 for health
reasons.

Simon joined the company as CFO in 1999, and took over as Chief Executive in
2006 from Ryman co-founder Kevin Hickman.

During his tenure Ryman Healthcare''s portfolio of villages has grown from 12
to 31. He led the company through the Global Financial Crisis, the
Christchurch earthquakes and oversaw its expansion into Melbourne.

Gordon MacLeod, Ryman''s Deputy Chief Executive and CFO, will take over as
Chief Executive on June 30. Gordon joined Ryman as CFO 10 years ago, and was
promoted to Deputy Chief Executive in 2014.

Simon will continue as an advisor to the board until December 2018.

Simon was diagnosed with Parkinson''s Disease in 2011 but has continued in the
role since then with the full support of the board.

"I first noticed the symptoms about a decade ago, but it was still a huge
shock to get my diagnosis in 2011," Simon said. "I''ve been determined not to
let it beat me."

"This is a demanding job, and I''ve realised this year that my health was
deteriorating and it was taking too great a toll on me personally, and on my
family."

"I''m a great optimist and I think having Parkinson''s has made me a better MD
of a healthcare company than I otherwise might have been. It has given
certainly me a degree of empathy and insight into the challenges our
residents face, and it has taught me to make every day count. I''m sad to be
leaving Ryman, but I''m looking forward to spending more time with my family
and being able to contribute to the community in other ways."

"I''ve had an incredible 18 years at Ryman and I am really proud of what the
team has achieved together. The time is right to hand over to Gordy who I
know has the same passion as I have for looking after our staff and
residents. We have a very strong and loyal management team and the company is
in great shape for the huge growth we see ahead."

He thanked the board and his colleagues for their support.

"I''d also like to thank all our residents, families, shareholders, staff, and
all our suppliers and contractors for your support and trust over the years.
I know I''m leaving the company in safe hands."

Ryman Chairman Dr David Kerr thanked Simon for his leadership and the
enormous contribution he had made to the success of Ryman.

"It''s a sentinel moment for everyone at Ryman. Simon has been a wonderful
colleague. He''s professional, hard-working, creative, passionate and highly
energised."

"He has been a Managing Director who has never hesitated to walk the floor in
the villages, and is widely known as ''Simon from Ryman''. This title conveys
the fact that he is deeply interested in what this company does, the people
it cares for, and the people it employs. Not only is he interested, but he is
approachable in a way that is unusual in such a large company."

He said Simon had hit every stretch target the board had set for him, except
for taking any extended leave. Ryman''s growth had been extraordinary under
his leadership, which had been recognised by his success in a number of
awards, including being named Deloitte Top 200 Executive of the Year in 2014.

"These moments or transitions are never easy, but this has been made much
easier by the attention to succession planning that has been given by Simon."

He said the board was delighted that Gordon MacLeod was stepping into the
role.

"Gordy has shown a deep understanding and appreciation of the business and
what we do as a company. He has that great balance of both the right cultural
fit for the role and the right skill set to lead this growing company and I
know the Board look forward to working with him in the future."

Gordon MacLeod said David Bennett, who joined Ryman four years ago as
Financial Controller, would be his successor as CFO.
David is a Chartered Accountant who previously worked at a big four
accounting firm and trained as an auditor.

"Since he joined Ryman in 2013 David''s made a great impression. His family
has had a long involvement in the industry and so he has a great
understanding of aged care. He''s enormously well respected by his colleagues
and is a great asset to Ryman,'''' Gordon said.

About Ryman: Ryman Healthcare was founded in Christchurch in 1984 and owns
and operates 31 retirement villages in New Zealand and Australia. Ryman
villages are home to 10,000 residents, and the company employs 4,500 staff.

Media advisory: For further information, photos, interviews or comment please
contact Corporate Affairs Manager David King on 03 366 4069 or 021 499 602.
End CA:00301403 For:RYM    Type:OFFICE     Time:2017-05-19 09:21:22
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