The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) has announced that chief executive officer and company secretary Nick Lawson has stepped down after nearly nine years in the role.
The announcement was made by BGF president Carla Treloar on Wednesday, with Lawson having formally concluded his tenure on Friday last week.
Mike Searle, the foundation's director of client services, has been appointed acting chief executive until further notice. Searle has held the director role since 2022 and is a member of BGF's executive leadership team, working closely with the chief executive and board.
Prior to joining BGF, he held senior roles with disability and community services provider Sunnyfield, where he served as regional manager for community services, and earlier worked with 7-Eleven Australia as a retail business manager. His career has also included roles as a learning and development specialist.
Lawson joined the organisation following senior roles with Doctors Without Borders (Medecins sans frontieres) and The Fred Hollows Foundation. During his time at BGF, he oversaw changes to service delivery as the organisation expanded into NDIS and aged care services, established a permanent presence in western Sydney, and grew operations in northern NSW and South Australia.
Treloar said Lawson had played a significant role in advancing the foundation's work supporting people living with HIV.
"Nick has had a profound impact on the mission Bobby Goldsmith Foundation proudly serves; standing by and supporting people living with HIV, which we have done for more than 40 years," she said.
She said Lawson had led several strategic projects while maintaining relationships across the health and community services sector, as well as with government and regulatory bodies.
Lawson was also chief executive during the organisation's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2024, which included BGF receiving the HIV Hero Award at the 2024 ACON Honour Awards.
In a statement, Lawson said he was proud of the organisation's work with people living with HIV, which he described as "some of the most marginalised members of Australian society".
"Our solidarity with all people living with HIV has been absolutely steadfast for more than 40 years, and I am honoured to have stood alongside, and worked with, our incredibly courageous family of clients as they have navigated the most extraordinary challenges," he said.
He also acknowledged staff and volunteers at the organisation.
"I am equally as proud to have worked with an amazing team, and all those who have given their time at BGF. The selflessness, proactivity, extra mile gone, integrity and love through which they make our clients' lives that much better is truly humbling to observe," Lawson said.
He said the organisation was positioned to continue its work into the future.
"BGF is now well geared to take its next very important steps, and it has the most amazing team to ensure our clients' dignity will be, as always, at the heart of everything we do," he said.
Treloar said the board had thanked Lawson for his "long years of service and wish him all the very best for the next chapter".
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: [email protected]
