genU announces merger with Activ Foundation

GEELONG-BASED national disability service provider genU has expanded its family, completing a merger with Activ Foundation, one of Western Australia’s leading providers.

genU chief executive officer Clare Amies, who will remain in the role following the merger, said the two organisations shared significant alignment in values, history and services.

“This is an exciting opportunity to lift the range, provision and care practice of disability services in Western Australia and have a stronger voice in the sector across Australia.

“We are united in our mission to empower people to reach their full potential. As a profit-for-purpose organisation, we reinvest into programs and services that help to build more inclusive communities.”

With a shared history of more than 150 years in the industry, genU and Activ Foundation will expand on genU’s existing presence in Western Australia through its MatchWorks employment services and genU Training courses.

“Coming together puts us in an even stronger position, financially and influentially, to meet the opportunities and challenges in the disability support sector now, and into the future,” Ms Amies said.

 

“We will be engaging with all internal and external stakeholders as we integrate our organisations. We want to make sure that customers voices are heard and that we take the opportunity to improve and enhance services across Australia.”

Board chair of genU Ingrid Williams said both organisations had undertaken comprehensive decision planning to ensure the merger was the right fit.

“We feel comfortable and positive about the merger and what it will bring for Australians living with disability.

“The genU board has undertaken a rigorous due diligence process to identify the many benefits the union will create, while understanding some of the recent challenges and issues both organisations have faced.”

The merger is expected to employ more than 5,500 people across Australia, and position genU as one of the largest five disability services providers in the country.