Australia’s second-largest not-for-profit health fund, HBF, has announced the appointment of Dr Lachlan Henderson as its new chief executive officer.
Dr Henderson joins HBF from Victoria’s largest not-for-profit private hospital group, Epworth HealthCare, where he has been group chief executive since 2017.
Originally from Perth, Dr Henderson has more than 30 years of experience in health services as a general practitioner and in clinical and managerial roles, including as an executive director at St John of God Health Care and general manager at the Mount Hospital.
He is currently President of the Australian Private Hospitals Association and chair of the Board of Directors at Cricket Australia.
HBF chair Diane Smith-Gander AO said, “With the growth of our brand nationally and expansion into health services, HBF recently entered a new chapter in its long and proud history, and we were committed to conducting an extensive CEO search to find the best person to lead HBF into the future.
“Lachlan was an outstanding candidate with a wealth of knowledge gained in the healthcare industry across both practising and managerial roles, proven leadership experience, and cultural alignment having worked at not-for-profit organisations. I have every confidence that he is a strong fit for HBF and look forward to him taking up the role early next year.”
“I believe private health plays a pivotal role in the health care of Australians and I was attracted to HBF as a not-for-profit fund that truly puts the interests of its 1.1 million members first," said Dr Henderson.
“After growing up in Perth I am delighted to be returning to my home city and leading an organisation that forms part of the fabric of Western Australia and is growing its presence nationally. I look forward to working with the team in building on this momentum and continuing to support HBF’s members in navigating an increasingly complex health environment.”
The company said Simon Walsh will continue as its interim CEO until Dr Henderson commences in February 2023.