Bupa has announced the appointment of Glenn Thompson as the managing director of its Health Services business.
Bupa Health Services includes its optical, hearing and dental businesses. It also contracts with the Australian government to undertake immigration health examinations for visa applicants and provides various health services to Australian Defence Force members and veterans.
Mr Thompson was most recently the managing director and group chief executive officer at Programmed. It is a leading provider of staffing, facility management, maintenance, and care services. He previously spent ten years in media with Fairfax and in Singapore with a digital media provider to the property industry.
Bupa APAC CEO Hisham El-Ansary said Mr Thompson's appointment followed an extensive internal and external search:
“Glenn is a highly experienced executive with a proven track record of successfully leading large, complex, portfolio businesses," he said.
“Glenn’s commerciality, combined with his experience in digitising businesses and ability to work with diverse workforces aligns strongly with our Health Services portfolio and growth agenda. We look forward to welcoming Glenn to Bupa."
Sami Yalavac, who has been acting in the interim role since April 2022, has decided to leave Bupa to pursue new opportunities.
Mr El-Ansary said, “Sami had made an immense contribution during his 17 years at Bupa.”
Commencing as a lead developer with the business in 2005, he held a number of key roles including the director of operations, before spending over six years as chief information officer (CIO), and was recently named number one CIO in the CIO50 awards.
Gerald Marion, the company's chief customer and strategy officer, has also decided to leave Bupa. Mr Marion joined Bupa in 2019 as its first chief customer and strategy officer (CCSO).
“Gerald has been instrumental in growing Bupa’s digital health offer and data capability, as well as supporting the business to improve customer experience, and as a result of his leadership we expect to close 2022 with record customer Net Promoter Scores.
“I want to thank Sami and Gerald for their passion and dedication to our organisation during their time with us. They have always led with our values and purpose, and on behalf of the team we wish them well on their new endeavours,” added Mr El-Ansary said.