Boyden Recruits CEO for Sonic Healthcare Limited
November 24, 2025 – Boyden has assisted in the recruitment of Jim Newcombe as managing director and CEO of Sonic Healthcare Limited. Current CEO Colin Goldschmidt recently announced his retirement. “We are delighted that Dr. Jim Newcombe will succeed Dr. Colin Goldschmidt in leading Sonic Healthcare, preserving its unique medical leadership culture while embracing the transformational changes in healthcare which Sonic is leading in Australasia, Europe, the U.K. and the USA,” said Mark Compton, chairman. “After 32 years as Sonic’s CEO, Colin has decided it is the right time to retire, and the Board respects his decision.”
“Colin has led Sonic’s expansion from a single laboratory in Sydney onto the global stage to become the third largest pathology player in the world by developing and committing the company to the culture of medical leadership,” Mr. Compton said. “This leadership approach is now firmly embedded within Sonic Healthcare and incorporates an understanding of doctors and the medical profession, linking directly to operational and cultural attributes focused on care for staff and highest quality service to clinicians and patients. We thank him sincerely for his incredible vision and dedication over so many years. The board is excited by the passion and strategy Jim has for the company, and he, Evangelos Kotsopoulos (CEO of Sonic Healthcare Europe and Sonic Healthcare Germany) and the senior executive team will have our full support as they implement prudent change over time, whilst preserving Sonic’s unique culture and values.”
Dr. Newcombe is a pathologist specialized in clinical microbiology, an infectious diseases physician and a senior medical leader. He joined Sonic Healthcare eight years ago and is currently the CEO of Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology in Sydney, Sonic’s founding practice and one of its largest laboratories globally. In that role he has led a significant uplift in earnings and margins through strategic initiatives in the areas of operations, marketing and people. Dr. Newcombe has extensive experience in governance, strategy and quality improvement in both the public and private sectors and was previously an actively practicing doctor in clinical and laboratory medicine. In addition to his medical training in Australia, he has completed the United States Medical Licensing Examination and held medical placements in the U.S.
“It is a great honor to have been chosen to lead Sonic Healthcare, a company that operates under a culture of medical leadership, lives by its core values, and positively impacts the health of tens of millions of people across the world each year,” Dr. Newcombe said. “Led by doctors, scientists and operations experts, Sonic delivers highest quality medicine in every community it serves. I am committed to Sonic’s people and its guiding principles and am confident that Sonic will grow strongly and with integrity in the years to come. Together with a strong and well-established leadership team, we will focus on delivering outstanding value for shareholders through continued improvements in operational efficiency and leveraging Sonic’s fine reputation and strong position in the markets in which we operate.”
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Boyden, headquartered in Purchase, NY, is a leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 70 offices in over 45 countries. Established in 1946, the firm continues to expand and add talent across several global regions. Boyden offers executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. In the last three years, Boyden conducted over 1,000 searches in the financial officers space.
University of Technology Sydney Search
Boyden recently assisted in the recruitment of Michael Rose as chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). This search was conducted out of Boyden’s Sydney office, headed by Alun Parry.
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“Michael Rose is an exceptional leader whose deep experience across law, business, urban policy and social impact will be invaluable to UTS as we continue to deliver value to our communities through our strategic education and research priorities,” said Andrew Parfitt, vice chancellor, president, and professor. “With an extensive and impressive career of leadership and governance over 30 years, I look forward to working closely with Michael as we work to deliver on UTS 2030 and our ambition of being a leading public university of technology recognized for our global impact.”
Mr. Rose brings extensive experience in governance and civic leadership, along with a deep commitment to higher education and the community. He holds several prominent board and leadership roles across urban infrastructure, the arts, health and innovation, including chair of Greater Sydney Parklands, president of the Art Gallery of NSW and chair of the Westmead Institute for Medical Research. He also serves on a number of corporate boards.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
