Aspen Medical appoints new Acting Chief Executive Officer

Aspen Medical has appointed Fijian citizen Mr Gavin Whiteside as Acting
Chief Executive Officer of its operations in Fiji. This appointment follows the
resignation of Ms Annette Owttrim, who has stepped down to spend more
time with her family in Western Australia.

Ms Owttrim has been with Aspen Medical for 19 years, helping to shape it
into one of the world’s leading providers of healthcare solutions. Her last day
in the role will be 12 May 2023.

“It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to have served the
incredible people of Fiji over the past few years. I have made lifelong friends
whilst I have been in this amazing country. I would like to thank my team, the
FNPF and the Government of Fiji for their support and patience as we set
about bringing world-class healthcare to Fiji,” she said.

Ms Owttrim oversaw the successful transition of Ba and Lautoka Hospitals to
Aspen Medical to manage as a public hospital in April last year. Since then, Fiji
has seen the introduction of ongoing cardiac surgeries, investment in state-of-the-art clinical equipment including x-ray and mammogram machines, a commitment to employ people with disabilities and to work with the University of Fiji to train the next generation of Fijian clinicians.

Mr Whiteside is a dual Fijian and Australian citizen having been born in Fiji to
a Fijian father with links to Tubou village, Lakeba, Lau and Viti Levu Bay in Ra.
His mother hails from Birmingham in the UK. He spent over 19 years with the
Australian Defence Force before joining Aspen Medical.

Gavin also brings significant experience in leading people, managing health
facilities, and working across the Pacific including in the Solomon Islands,
Timor-Leste, Nauru and Papua New Guinea (PNG). He was previously
awarded the Aspen Medical Employee of the Year for his outstanding
management of the company’s PNG business.

“Annette leaves behind an incredible team. Her passion for the people of Fiji
has been well noted and I am looking forward to being back in my first home
to continue her great work in creating a world-class healthcare service for all
Fijians. A lot has been done but there is more to do,” he said.

Health Care (Fiji) Pte Ltd is a Public-Private Partnership formed between the
Fiji National Provident Fund and Aspen Medical to manage both Lautoka and
Ba public hospitals under a contract with the Government of Fiji.