Five Faces Appoints Richard Alcock AO as Board Chair

Five Faces has appointed Richard Alcock AO as Chair of the Board and Non-Executive Director, adding senior healthcare governance experience to its board.

Alcock has held leadership roles across health, finance, law, and higher education, and has served in governance positions in parts of the Australian health system. His previous roles include Chair of Western Sydney Local Health District and Deputy Chair of Sydney Children's Hospitals Network.

The appointment comes as Five Faces expands its work with public, private, and not-for-profit healthcare providers in Australia and overseas. The Brisbane-headquartered company develops software used to digitise patient journeys for hospitals and other healthcare organisations.

Its products support patient engagement tasks ranging from what it describes as the digital front door to digital signage. Five Faces says its systems have been accessed by more than 4 million consumers.

Alcock was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through health management, corporate governance, higher education, and the law. He joins a board overseeing a company operating at the intersection of healthcare delivery and digital tools.

Chief Executive Officer Nicole Nixon said the appointment reflects the company's growth plans.

"We are delighted to welcome Richard as Chair of the Five Faces Board," Nixon said.

"He brings an exceptional understanding of healthcare leadership, governance, and strategy. His insight will be invaluable as we continue to grow and support healthcare organisations across Australia and internationally."

Founded in Australia, Five Faces focuses on software intended to help healthcare providers manage and improve interactions with patients and consumers. According to the company, strengthening the board reflects demand from healthcare organisations seeking more consistent experiences across larger systems.

Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Abdul Alabri linked the appointment to broader changes in healthcare delivery.

"Healthcare organisations are increasingly looking to deliver more connected and consistent experiences across entire health systems," Alabri said.

"Richard's experience will provide valuable perspective as we continue to evolve our technology and support the future of digitally enabled care."

Health focus

The company's work has included projects with health services seeking to digitise access and navigation for patients. In earlier government recognition, Five Faces and Sydney Local Health District received the NSW Government Premier's Award for a mass vaccination solution in the category 'Putting the Customer at the Centre'.

That background helps explain the company's decision to appoint a chair with experience in large, complex health organisations. Boards of healthcare technology businesses often seek leaders who can bridge provider operations, governance requirements, and patient-facing service design.

Alcock said he was joining the company as health services place greater emphasis on how consumers access and move through care.

"Five Faces has built a strong reputation for helping healthcare organisations improve the experience of consumers through practical and innovative digital solutions," Alcock said.

"Throughout my involvement in healthcare, I have seen the importance of combining strong clinical and operational leadership with innovation. I look forward to working with the Board and leadership team as they continue to grow their impact and help healthcare organisations navigate increasing demand, rising patient expectations, and the need for more accessible and connected care."

The appointment underscores the role governance experience plays as digital health suppliers seek deeper relationships with hospital networks and other care providers. Five Faces says it is continuing to scale its work across Australia and overseas.