<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two top executives at a national childcare chain have resigned after a string of sex abuse charges were laid against former Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Brown.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Affinity Education Group confirmed its chief executive Tim Hickey and chief operating officer Nishad Alani had departed their roles and left the organisation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former senior advisor for compliance and quality Glen Hurley has been appointed the new chief executive, beginning today.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/melbourne-cbd-arrest-man-with-firearm-arrested-after-alleged-car-jackings/21ee0e69-1b4c-49ae-bb75-4904293f2769" target="_blank"><strong><span>Man appears to point gun at police during dramatic arrest in Melbourne CBD</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Mr Hurley brings deep experience and strong operational insight and will smoothly transition into this new role having already worked closely with many of our teams," an Affinity Education Group spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"He has 25 years of experience in the aged care sector in an array of senior executive roles and has also served as a senior regulator."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Nicola Page has also joined Affinity as chief compliance and risk officer.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/affinity-childcare-two-top-executives-step-down-after-sex-abuse-charges-laid-against-former-employee-joshua-brown/cd3a31a6-7734-4021-b2b8-8ac0f4d2e9c4" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Affinity's human relations boss Rolanda Mitchell also stepped down recently.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Affinity Education runs 250 childcare centres across the country and is the umbrella company for brands such as Milestones and Kids Academy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/brittany-higgins-faces-bankruptcy-action-by-former-senator-linda-reynolds/b01b9214-1249-4ddd-90e8-86ac42e2e55b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Brittany Higgins faces bankruptcy action by former boss</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Affinity also operates centres where accused child sexual abuser Brown worked.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Brown is facing more than 70 charges, including child rape. He has not entered a plea.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"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," an Affinity spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The company previously promised to make sweeping changes at centres after Brown was charged, including fast-tracked CCTV installation and giving parents toilet time preferences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In an earlier statement, Affinity Education said it has a "zero tolerance approach to any form of abuse or misconduct involving children".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are deeply sorry for the distress this is causing our families – no family should have to go through this," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are committed to supporting every family impacted whilst continuing to cooperate fully with the authorities as the investigation continues."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>Support is available from the</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service</span></strong><span> </span><strong><span>at</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.1800respect.org.au/" title="https://www.1800respect.org.au/"><strong><span>1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)</span></strong></a><strong><span>.</span></strong></div></div>