Diabetes Australia has appointed Brett Fenton as its first Chief Well being Officer marking a significant step in strengthening scientific management and enhancing outcomes for folks residing with diabetes.
Mr Fenton joined Diabetes Australia within the newly created function in February.
The CHO is a senior scientific management place liable for scientific governance and strategic well being initiatives throughout the organisation.
In his new function, Mr Fenton will work intently with the Chief Medical Officer Professor David Simmons to ship robust senior scientific oversight to Diabetes Australia’s work because the nationwide peak physique.
Group CEO Justine Cain mentioned the appointment displays the organisation’s dedication to enhancing care and outcomes for folks residing with diabetes.
“It is a vital milestone for Diabetes Australia and our members,” Ms Cain mentioned. “The creation of a Chief Well being Officer function strengthens our scientific governance and reinforces our concentrate on high quality, security and evidence-based management.”
Ms Cain mentioned Mr Fenton brings a depth of expertise that can profit the organisation’s work.
“Brett has an impressive monitor document as a clinician educator and well being system chief,” she mentioned. “His management will may have a constructive influence for folks residing with diabetes and stronger integration throughout the well being system.”
Mr Fenton mentioned he was excited by the chance of serving as Diabetes Australia’s inaugural Chief Well being Officer.
“I’m honoured to tackle the CHO function at a time when diabetes stays one of the pressing and complicated well being challenges going through Australians,” Mr Fenton mentioned.
“This function is about making certain that all the things we do as a nationwide peak physique is grounded in robust scientific governance and the newest proof.
“I look ahead to working intently with Diabetes Australia employees to strengthen partnerships throughout the well being system and to assist fashions of care which might be built-in, equitable and centered on higher outcomes for folks residing with diabetes.
“My precedence can be to make sure that our scientific management continues to underpin our advocacy, packages and nationwide reform agenda.”
Mr Fenton has served as a Director of Diabetes Australia since 2018 and most just lately as Chair of the Danger High quality and Compliance Committee. He resigned his Directorship efficient 23 January 2026 to take up the chief function.
He beforehand led multidisciplinary diabetes companies throughout hospital and group settings and has held senior management roles throughout nationwide coverage skilled training and digital well being reform.
Mr Fenton was an Invited Knowledgeable Advisor to the Nationwide Diabetes Technique 2021-2030 and has performed a key function in advancing fairer know-how entry and built-in fashions of care.
