About

Learn about what we do

About SpArc Foundation

SpArc Foundation partners with like-minded organisations to support improved health outcomes for all Australians.

SpArc Foundation, previously known as Epic Good Foundation, brings together the portfolio of philanthropic activities that Stuart Giles, Cathie Reid and their children are involved with.

One of the benefits of success in business is that it provides an ability to support other organisations who are focused on improving the world and societies that we live in. Philanthropy is something that we are very passionate about and feel a real sense of obligation to pay that success forward into a range of activities and causes, all of which have hit a chord to engage us in some way.

“The Puuya Foundation has greatly appreciated the support provided by the SpArc Foundation. This support has allowed us to continue our good governance and work in the Lockhart River Aboriginal Community.”

The Puuya Foundation

Our Philosophy

SpArc Foundation is about supporting organisations which focus on community empowerment, education, healthcare, and social justice. The range of organisations SpArc Foundation supports is diverse, but the common thread linking them is each has been able to engage us in a way that sees us want to add value above and beyond just writing a cheque. Successful entrepreneurship requires so much more than just a desire to make money, it takes passion and a strong sense of purpose, and we view our philanthropic activities as requiring a similar commitment and focus.

Our Team

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Cathie Reid

Co-Founder
After Co-Founding Australia’s Epic Group, including Epic Pharmacy and Epic Good Foundation, and Icon Group, Australia’s largest dedicated cancer care provider, Cathie’s attentions are now focused on the Arc31 family office and the portfolio of businesses and funds it invests in. She and Stuart co-founded the SpArc Foundation (formerly the Epic Good Foundation) to bring together the philanthropic activities that they, their children and their businesses were involved in.   She has been the recipient of many industry awards and honours including: induction into the Australian Businesswomen’s Hall of Fame in 2015, named one of the Top 100 Women of Influence by the Australian Financial Review in 2013, winner of the National Telstra Business Women’s Award in 2011, and recognised by Monash University with a Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in 2012. In June 2019, Cathie was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to healthcare delivery and philanthropy.
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Stuart Giles

Co-Founder
Stuart Giles was the driving force behind the establishment of Australia’s largest comprehensive cancer care provider, Icon Group, and played a key role from 2016 in driving substantial international expansion across Asia. A pharmacist by background, Stuart and his wife, and long-term business partner, Cathie Reid AM, have owned and operated a network of pharmacies around Australia for nearly 25 years. Following the sale of Icon Group, Stuart stepped down as Founding Chairman of Icon Group in late 2020 to focus on Arc31 Family Office opportunities and the SpArc Foundation philanthropic investment initiatives. In July 2021 Stuart was appointed the inaugural Founder in Residence of the Transformer program, providing mentoring to entrepreneurial students at Bond University.
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Heather Watson

Chair
Heather is an experienced Charity Lawyer and Non-Executive Director and has both advised on and contributed to philanthropic programs across Australia. Her legal and governance experience includes industry sectors in aged care; health and community services and infrastructure; affordable housing; and Indigenous communities. Heather serves on multiple governing bodies related to the Uniting Church's health and community services including as the current Chair of Uniting NSW, ACT, and Australian Regional and Remote Community Services Ltd (operating in the Northern Territory). She is a former Chair of UnitingCare Qld. She is Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board to the Australian Charity and Not for Profits Commission.
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Andrew Reid

Board Member
Andrew is a talented business leader with a commitment to achieving sustainable growth in a responsible manner with an emphasis on values-based organisations.   A Chartered Accountant, Andrew’s financial management experience developed over more than a decade working with a wide range of businesses spanning multiple industries, from micro-businesses to national and international operations. Moving into healthcare, Andrew’s strengths including his interest and experience in M&A helped develop and grow businesses from existing, turnaround and startup positions, and as CEO delivered high growth and expansion with more than 10x growth in activity and earnings while maintaining organisation-wide commitment to patient care.