Who got that job?

Were you one of the people who applied for this job and wondered who got it?

Job: Director health services.

For: The Order of St John (northern region).


Former Wilson & Horton Publications chief Graham Billings admits he never really settled in Australia.

So after five years in Melbourne, he's back in Auckland with wife Gaye and sons aged 13 and 10 - relieved that he can now cheer on the All Blacks with undisguised gusto.

But in Australia, running his own management consultancy, "fifty-something" Billings married his corporate nous with work on the profit-making side of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Victoria.

"A lot of charities are competing for the shrinking dollar," he says," and some charities are developing operations that are for profit, which helps to fund the charitable work."

And that's no different for St John. Billings will be responsible for the likes of personal alarm systems, first-aid cover at big events, first-aid kits and care services, which help pay for St John services such as ambulances.

While considering the job, he says, he could see that his corporate and charitable experience would bring something to the role.

The job will also involve strategic development work: developing in St John's four other centres the sorts of services available in the northern region, from the Bombay Hills north.