Surf Life Saving NSW is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced emergency services professional Steven Pearce as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Pearce holds the Australian Fire Services Medal (AFSM) and has more than 30 years’ experience in senior roles at Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW State Emergency Services, in addition to beach safety experience having been a volunteer Life Saver in the Illawarra.



Surf Life Saving NSW President, David Murray said Mr Pearce’s significant emergency management and government experience would be an asset for the organisation.



“Steven’s demonstrated leadership experience in the volunteer sector, and his synergy and affinity to volunteer ideals, culture and values makes him a perfect fit for our organisation,” Mr Murray said.


“We are thrilled to have a person of Steven’s strategic vision and experience, commitment to volunteer membership values and dynamic energy to lead our organisation into the future.”

Surf Life Saving NSW is one of Australia’s largest volunteer movements, including 129 Surf Life Saving Clubs and 74,000 members throughout NSW.



Mr Pearce said his initial focus will be to ‘learn the organisation’ by reviewing processes and operations to ensure Surf Life Saving NSW continues to deliver world-class protection on New South Wales’ beaches.



“It is a great honour to be a part of one of Australia’s most iconic volunteer organisations,” he said.


“I am committed to meeting as many of the volunteer members and staff as I can before the summer season commences, to ensure any future planning and actions are solely focused on the betterment and the benefit of our members and the communities we protect.”

Mr Pearce joins Surf Life Saving NSW as Acting CEO, Adam Weir, takes on a newly created role as SLSNSW’s Chief Operating Officer that will see the organisation continue to benefit from his extensive operational knowledge and experience.



“I am proud to have been able to lead the organisation over the last year in which we have achieved many fantastic results for the membership,” Mr Weir said.


“We are well placed to welcome Steven into the role of CEO and support him to continue achieving great outcomes for Surf Life Saving in New South Wales.”

Mr Pearce has lived in Sutherland Shire and Illawarra areas, enjoys getting onto the beach for a surf and is looking forward to again participating in active patrols in support of our volunteers and communities we protect.



Surf Life Saving NSW’s comprehensive national and international executive recruitment campaign attracted more than 200 interested parties and 110 applications.



 



Tuesday 11 July 2017