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Michelle Arrowsmith

Senior Vice President - Australia & New Zealand

As the Senior Vice President of Australia and New Zealand of HHERF, Michelle is responsible for leading HHERF’s efforts to expand in these regions. With extensive experience in healthcare management and strategy in Australia and New Zealand, Michelle plays a critical role in identifying and developing programs and initiatives that can improve access to quality healthcare for people across the region. She works closely with the CEO and the leadership team to develop and implement strategies that align with our overall mission and objectives. Michelle is responsible for managing HHERF’s relationships with governments, healthcare providers, and other key stakeholders across the region, ensuring that our programs are tailored to the needs of local communities. With her expertise in healthcare management and strategy in the Australian and New Zealand context, Michelle plays a critical role in helping HHERF to achieve its vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all in these regions.

Michelle is an experienced leader in the healthcare sector. With over 25 years in healthcare across 3 countries, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. She has a good appreciation of different countries, their health systems and cultures, and the impact of these on the health outcomes of populations. Following her role as Deputy Director-General of Health for System Performance and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Health New Zealand, Michelle now supports the public sector, private companies, and health and care agencies in the delivery of healthcare and infrastructure across ANZ.

Michelle originates from the UK with a clinical background, qualifying as a Dietitian and working for a number of years in clinical practice. Michelle has enjoyed the rewards of working as part of healthcare teams and in particular caring for people in their older years.

Michelle has supported her professional body through Chair and Member of the Scientific Programmes Committee and Council Member of the British Dietetic Association and also has been and still is a strong advocate for Allied Health Professions. She spent a number of years supporting AHP workforce initiatives in the UK.

Michelle has delivered in a number of senior health roles; from Dietetic and Therapy  Services Manager, Director of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, Deputy CEO, and  Deputy Director-General of Health demonstrating a breadth of experience from interacting with patients and the wider community; through staff and clinician leadership; operational and financial management, collaboration with partners integrating healthcare, infrastructure development, through to understanding machinery of government and working with Government Ministers.

Michelle is committed to sound governance of healthcare systems and has worked on and to Boards through roles on the Council of the British Dietetic Association, the Board of an NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, and has supported 20 District Health Boards in New Zealand and their Chairs with Board development programs. She is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand.

Michelle holds a BSc Hons in Dietetics and is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management.