Primary founder Bateman to step down PRIMARY Health Care founder Dr Edmund Bateman will step down as the company's managing director in January. DR Bateman, who founded the medical centres operator on Sydney's Northern Beaches in 1985, will step down on January 30, 2015, and become a non-executive director of the company. The 72-year-old, who has an estimated fortune of $450 million according to the BRW Rich 200 list, has been on sick leave since September for an undisclosed illness. Acting managing director Andrew Duff, who has been filling in for Dr Bateman, will continue in the role until a successor can be found. Chairman Robert Ferguson thanked Dr Bateman for his contribution to the company. "His unwavering vision and tenacity has built Primary over the last 29 years into a company that each and every day provides Australians with high quality, affordable healthcare that demonstrably helps and improves their lives," he said in a statement on Monday. The directors, staff and all medical professionals wish him a speedy recovery and the best of health. Primary Healthcare operates 71 medical centres and 1800 pathology collection centres.