Mr Benedet’s appointment follows an Australia-wide search run by leading recruitment agency Alex Kaar, Gerard was the clear standout in an impressive field of candidates.
Mr Benedet, an experienced and effective executive, has served as the Pharmacy Guild’s Queensland Branch Director since October 2019. As Branch Director, Mr Benedet has worked closely with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Queensland Labor Government to develop and implement nation-leading reforms to primary health care, including the North Queensland Scope of Practice Pilot, the Community Pharmacy UTI Health Service, and the Free Flu Vaccination Program.
Mr Benedet also led the Guild’s response to the COVID pandemic in Queensland, which was the first state to allow community pharmacists to administer COVID vaccines and the first state to do school-based COVID vaccine outreach.
Prior to joining the Guild, he held senior roles at News Corp Australia, Careers Australia, and the National Rugby League. This culminated in the successful realisation of Rugby League Central and its associated hall of fame and education centre, via a grant from the then Infrastructure Minister, Anthony Albanese. Gerard was also Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland, Chief of Staff to the Queensland Treasurer, and National Director of not-for-profit advocacy organisation Advance Australia.
National President Professor Trent Twomey said Mr Benedet would bring a wealth of experience to the role.
“Gerard gets things done. Over the last four years, he has shown a unique ability to work side by side with Government to deliver better care for patients, in a way that secures a long-term viability of community pharmacy.”
“As we continue negotiations for an 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement, Gerard’s strategic vision and extensive knowledge of the public sector and community pharmacy agenda will be a tremendous asset for the Guild, and the six thousand community pharmacies we represent.”
Mr Benedet said he was delighted to accept the role.
“My four years as Queensland Branch Director have been immensely rewarding.”
“Community pharmacy played a central role in getting Queensland through the COVID-19 pandemic and now, off the back of the successful Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot, they’re on the verge of providing high-quality care to more Queenslanders than ever before.”
“As the new Executive Director of the Guild, I look forward to advocating on behalf of community pharmacy across the country to help unlock more opportunities to support Australia’s world-class health system”.
Mr Benedet, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with degrees in Commerce and International Studies from Western Sydney University, will commence his new role on 13th November.