Thorne Harbour Health appoints Chad Hughes as next Chief Executive Officer
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22 Jan 2026
Thursday 22 January – Thorne Harbour Health has announced the appointment of Chad Hughes as its next Chief Executive Officer.
With more than 25 years’ experience in global and community health, Chad Hughes has worked internationally to deliver public health programs focused on HIV, drug and alcohol harm reduction, and LGBTIQA+ health. He has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including Thorne Harbour Health’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020.
Thorne Harbour Health has an incredible history of leading the community response to HIV and expanding that legacy to meet the broader and evolving health needs of our communities.
It is truly an honour to step into the role of CEO. I look forward to working alongside our communities, partners, and staff to advance the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people and people living with HIV.
Chad Hughes
This announcement follows a rigorous recruitment process after longstanding CEO Simon Ruth stepped down in October 2025 and former Director of Services (2014-2018) Kent Burgess returned to serve as interim CEO.
The Board of Directors is extremely grateful to Kent Burgess for seamlessly stepping into the role of Interim CEO during one of the busiest periods of the year, including Feast Festival, World AIDS Day, and the current Midsumma season.
We are excited to welcome Chad as our next CEO. He brings significant leadership experience at a pivotal moment for Thorne Harbour Health, as we safeguard the hard-fought gains won through decades of community advocacy and continue to push for progress and innovation in community-led healthcare.
President Janet Jukes OAM
Chad Hughes will officially start as CEO of Thorne Harbour Health at the end of February 2026.