Our Management
Our Senior Management Team
Ben Richards
Chief Executive Officer
Ben brings extensive leadership experience to Langford Support Services, shaped by a 20-year career in the Australian Army and senior executive roles in the not-for-profit sector.
During his military service, Ben held diverse operational and training appointments, including deployments to East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His leadership was formally recognised with a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Transitioning to the civilian sector in 2019, Ben served as Chief Operating Officer and later Acting CEO at Workskills Tasmania, where he oversaw the delivery of Commonwealth Employment Services contracts and an innovative social enterprise initiative.
Ben also contributes to not-for-profit sector advocacy and governance as a Board Director with Amplify Alliance Australia, a national peak body supporting community organisations.
Ben holds a Master of Business from the University of New South Wales and is committed to driving impactful outcomes for communities through strategic leadership and operational excellence.
Sandy Travers
Executive Manager, Corporate Services
Sandy has over 25 years’ experience in business ownership, including pharmacy, franchising and agritourism before moving into executive roles in aged care and disability.
She has been a Board Director, including of Langford between 2000 and 2010. This has provided Sandy with extensive experience in corporate governance in regulated environments and leading and supporting teams to develop continuous improvement practices.
Sandy is passionate about utilizing data and loves to collaborate to improve systems and processes to support the delivery of high-quality services that are safe for both participants and employees.
Sandy loves watching the JackJumpers, spending time with family and friends and walking to keep fit.
Kate Gillham
Executive Manager, Service Delivery
Kate has been a part of the Langford team since 2004. She has worked with Langford through periods of extensive change, development, and growth. Her career background has been working with various government and non-government organisations across the Disability and Mental Health Sector.
Kate’s passion is working with teams to develop and deliver exceptional supports for people. Her goal is to empower people to have a voice in what they want to achieve with the supports they receive.
Kate is a volunteer Fire Fighter in her local community and coaches a Junior Roller Derby Team.
Penny Sears
Executive Manager, People and Culture
Penny is an accredited and qualified human resource and change management professional with over 25 years’ experience. She has enthusiastically worked with people in a variety of industries such as public sector, health, education, utilities, telecommunications, construction and not for profit.
Having worked in project management environments for over 14 years, Penny applies a variety of proven methodologies such as agile and lean while not losing sight of the most important organisational asset – people.
Penny’s personal values of people first, commitment, and transparency closely align with Langford, and are what attracted her to the organisation. Outside of work Penny is committed to keeping fit and spending time with her family.