One of his major focuses will be to oversee the expansion of the social welfare agency, which currently delivers 37 programs.

“We want to make sure we get involved in more programs and perform to the standards we set ourselves,” Mr Fitzgerald said.

He said one of the key areas for this to happen would be the provision of affordable housing. 

“We are a small player and we need to get bigger,” he said.

“There will be opportunties for us down the track to become a manager of more affordable housing and provide that to clients who fit that profile. The requirement for affordable housing is not going to shrink, it will grow.”

The introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme is also at the forefront of his mind. 

He said it would impact a number of programs and the organisation needed to be well prepared as the scheme continued to roll out.

“It is very early days in this part of Victoria but it is a complete change in the way disability is funded,” Mr Fitzgerald said. 

“The end recipient is given the money and they go and purchase services off the providers rather than the provider being given the money… it is a complete change in the business model to consumer directed care.”

Mr Fitzgerald formerly was managing director at State Trustees Limited in Melbourne, while also having previously worked at National Australia Bank.

What has stood out to Mr Fitzgerald the most about Centacare is the people that work within the programs, while one of the major challenges for the year ahead would be the competition from other providers.

“You always have to be performing up to standard so that when the funding comes around you’re front and centre as a competent organisation,” he said.

And he agreed this could only be a good thing for the clients who would directly benefit.