ARITA appoints new CEO

The Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) has announced the appointment of Mr Jonathan Smithers as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

In a statement issued on Tuesday the ARITA board said it made the appointment following a thorough recruitment process that considered the needs of the profession and the future direction of the association.

Smithers brings extensive experience leading professional bodies, including as President of the Law Society of England and Wales and as CEO of the Law Council of Australia, ARITA said. 

“More recently, as CEO of Arthritis Australia, Jonathan has broadened his remit to consumer advocacy, health policy, and large-scale program delivery, while maintaining a strong focus on governance, compliance, and member engagement. His background in governance, advocacy, policy and stakeholder engagement will be a great asset to our association and the profession.” 

“We are delighted to have Jonathan join ARITA,” ARITA President Mike Hayes said.

“His deep expertise in law, combined with his extensive experience leading peak professional bodies, gives us tremendous confidence in his ability to drive the association forward. 

“Jonathan has demonstrated a consistent ability to lead through change, champion professional standards, and advocate effectively across government and industry. He is exactly the leader we need at this time”. 

“Having worked in associations and advocacy for many years, Jonathan has a keen awareness of the context ARITA operates in, and he especially impressed the Board with his understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the association, as well as his cultural fit with the office team. 

“This is an exciting development for the association,” Mike added. “I hope members are looking forward to working with Jonathan as much as I am, as we welcome him into the role and bring him up to speed over the coming months.” 

ARITA said its new CEO has proven ability to deliver strategic and operational transformation. 

“At the Law Council, he rebuilt financial sustainability, aligned strategic goals to operational planning, and increased political influence through targeted advocacy.

“At Arthritis Australia, he has led a substantial organisational turnaround, delivering multiple government-funded projects on time and on budget, while establishing strong partnerships with federal stakeholders.

“He has also been responsible for major education and digital initiatives, including the development of a national health education portal,” ARITA said.

Smithers said it was an honour to join ARITA, which he said is a globally recognised organisation playing a critical role in upholding professional standards in insolvency and restructuring.

“I look forward to working closely with the Board and our specialist staff as I immerse myself in the sector,” he said. 

“I am committed to building on ARITA’s legacy and ensuring it remains a strong, effective voice for our members and the broader community. 

“As CEO, my aim is to support the strategic goals of the association: deliver value for members by expanding our offerings, advocate on their behalf and maintain professional standards, and grow our capability, sense of community, and sustainability.” 

ARITA said the appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the association, with several opportunities and challenges on the horizon. 

“This is an important time for ARITA,” Jonathan noted. “We are progressing toward certification as a Registered Training Organisation, which will expand how we deliver education and support career development in the profession. 

“At the same time, we need to proactively engage with a new Labor government. These are challenges I look forward to tackling together with the Board and our members. 

“In that sense, it is also vital we keep our members’ voices at the center of the Association’s work,” he said. “Your feedback only helps us better understand and address concerns and issues facing the profession.” 

As he transitions into the role, Jonathan will draw on the considerable expertise of the ARITA Board, its dedicated team of technical staff, and the association’s extensive network of professional members, ARITA said.

His appointment signals ARITA’s continued commitment to strong leadership, integrity, and advocacy in insolvency and restructuring practice across Australia. 

The new CEO will commence his new role on Friday, 1 August.