New BHS chief set to start

His appointment followed in the wake of a turbulent period for BHS towards the end of last year. Previous chief Andrew Rowe retired after bullying allegations surfaced, particularly in the mental health department.

BHS has been in caretaker mode under the leadership of chief finance officer Andrew Kinnersly, who stepped up as acting chief executive officer the past seven months. 

Mr Kinnersly enacted the first major steps in an organisational cultural change under his watch.

This change is still ongoing.

One of Mr Fraser’s first duties will be to oversee the release of a draft report into an alleged culture of workplace bullying and harassment at BHS.

The draft has been before the board to assess key findings and agreed actions once the report is final.

A damning report into bulling within the youth mental health service team was released in January. This latest draft report delves into the entire organisation culture.

The draft report was completed by Sarah Rey, a managing partner of legal firm Justitia.

Ms Rey specialises in human resources law, employment and discrimination advice and litigation, workplace legal training, and employee misconduct and bullying investigations.

The Rey review, begun in February, was open to staff who worked for the health service from as far back as January 2013. 

BHS will be a homecoming of sorts for Mr Fraser who is a former chief financial officer and executive director of finance and information management for the health service.

Appointed in early May, Mr Fraser arrives from his role as Goulburn Valley Health chief executive officer based in Shepparton.

His experience includes roles as chief financial officer and director planning and resources at the Geelong-based Barwon Health.