Bupa has announced the appointment of Simon Birch to the role of chief information officer (CIO) of Bupa Asia Pacific (APAC).
Mr Birch has extensive experience in technology leadership roles across major financial organisations, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Barclays in the UK.
He will commence as CIO at Bupa in August 2023, allowing for a transition with current Acting CIO Jenny Watson, who will move to the role of senior technology director, health insurance and business services.
Bupa APAC CEO, Nick Stone, said he was delighted to have someone of Mr Birch's calibre joining Bupa and thanked Ms Watson for her dedication and stewardship during the past 14 months.
"Simon has significant experience in transforming the technology environments of large organisations and leading digital uplifts, which will be invaluable for Bupa APAC as we continue to modernise, digitise and personalise healthcare for our customers," said Mr Stone.
Mr Stone said Mr Birch was joining Bupa’s APAC executive leadership team during a period of exciting change across its health insurance, aged care and health provision services focused on customers and using technology to improve their experience.
Mr Birch added, “It is a privilege to be taking up this leadership position in an organisation that has a true ambition to become APAC’s most customer-centric healthcare company and where technology has a crucial role to play. I look forward to working with all of the passionate people at Bupa to help this amazing organisation go from strength to strength.”