**Executives at Affinity Education Group Resign Amid Scandals** Two high-ranking officials at Affinity Education Group, one of Australia’s largest childcare providers, have resigned following a series of scandals, including serious allegations against a former employee. Chief Executive Officer Tim Hickey and Chief Operating Officer Nishad Alani stepped down from their positions and left the organization, which operates 250 childcare centers across Australia under various brands such as Papilio, Kids Academy, and Milestones.

The resignations come in the wake of charges against Joshua Dale Brown, a former employee at Affinity centers, who faces over 70 offenses, including the alleged sexual abuse of eight children and the distribution of child abuse material. Brown, 26, has not yet entered a plea, and his lawyers anticipate additional charges may be forthcoming.

Reports have surfaced detailing other troubling incidents at Affinity centers, including a child being slapped multiple times and staff raising concerns about a toxic workplace culture. An Affinity spokesperson confirmed that Glen Hurley, the company’s senior advisor on compliance and quality, has been appointed as the new CEO.

In a statement, the spokesperson emphasized, "Affinity remains deeply committed to providing safe, high-quality care to the families across our entire network and supporting our dedicated, professional team who nurture and educate the children in their care with compassion and integrity."

Hickey had led the company for over a decade but faced increasing scrutiny regarding his management during the ongoing childcare crisis. Alani, who was appointed COO in June 2022, had recently issued an apology to parents for comments deemed insensitive regarding the situation.

An internal memo informed staff of the executives' departures, stating, "Tim Hickey, CEO, and Nishad Alani, COO, have stepped down from their roles and will leave the organization." The memo also highlighted Hurley’s extensive experience in the aged care sector and his previous role as a senior regulator.

A source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity, indicated that recent media reports revealing Affinity’s failure to provide critical information to police during the investigation into Brown were significant factors in the executives' resignations. The source noted that the board was unaware of the withheld information and Alani’s apology until inquiries were made.

Under Hickey’s leadership, Affinity expanded significantly after being acquired by a private equity firm in 2021, focusing on acquiring more centers and increasing enrollment numbers. However, the company reportedly spends less on its workforce compared to other large daycare chains. During a recent inquiry, Hickey faced questions about the company’s handling of the Brown scandal but did not provide clear answers regarding the impact of the situation on his compensation.

Additionally, Rolanda Mitchell, Affinity’s chief people officer, has also recently left the company. The organization continues to navigate the fallout from these incidents as it seeks to restore trust and ensure the safety of the children in its care.