James Birch AM is an independent consultant with over 35 years of experience in planning, leading and implementing change in complex organisations such as healthcare, justice and human services.
Until January 2016, he was the global healthcare leader for Ernst and Young having previously been their Oceania Government and Public Service Leader and the inaugural leader of their health and human services practice for Asia Pacific.
Mr Birch was also the chief executive of a human services and health department, deputy chief executive of a justice department, and chief executive of major health service delivery organisations including academic teaching hospitals. At a national level, he has been chair of the Australian Health Minister's Advisory Council, a member of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, a board member of the National E Health Transition Authority, and a director of Health Direct Australia. He is deputy chair of the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority and director of Cancer SA, Mary MacKillop Care SA and Little Company of Mary Health Care (Calvary).
Mr Birch has a Bachelor of Health Administration and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Management.
