Bupa Australia appoints Joy Linton as new Chief Financial Officer

Bupa Australia today announced key changes to its leadership team to position itself for future growth and continue its strong performance within the healthcare sector.

Joy Linton has joined Bupa Australia as Chief Financial Officer, following Hisham El-Ansary’s successful appointment last year to the newly-created role of Director of Strategy and Commercial Development.

In her former role as CFO of National Foods, Joy led the acquisition and integration of the Dairy Farmers, Lactos, Berri and King Island businesses respectively, and was a key member of the National Foods business takeover defence team in 2004.

Richard Bowden, Bupa Australia’s Managing Director, said the appointments would play an integral role in supporting the company to achieve its commercial objectives and drive its growth agenda.

“Joy’s demonstrated ability in driving financial performance across a range of sectors, with a strong focus on leading complex business improvement initiatives will enable her to play an important role in our future success,” Bowden said.

“I am also delighted that we will continue to leverage Hisham’s considerable expertise across our business as a key member of our Executive Leadership Team. In his role as Director of Strategy and Commercial Development, Hisham’s new remit will include developing and driving our company-wide strategy, as well as managing transformation projects, any merger and acquisition activity, and executive management of our subsidiaries.

“During his time with Bupa, Hisham has played a key role in the successful integration of MBF which resulted in Bupa Australia becoming the largest privately managed health insurance provider in Australia. He has enhanced our governance and risk management structures; led the divestment of ClearView Financial Management Ltd and MBF Life Limited and managed the acquisitions of Health Eyewear Pty Limited (Blink Optical) and the business of Peak Fitness Management (Australia) Pty Limited.”

Bowden continued that the new appointments would complement other recent moves to refocus Bupa’s Executive Leadership Team structure which saw Tony Forster appointed as Director of Sales and Naomi Attwood as Director of Customer Service.

“As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve it’s important that we have the right people and leadership team in place to position us for future growth, and to ensure we have the flexibility to capitalize on new opportunities,” Bowden said.

“I’m confident we have the best leadership team in the sector and I know that they are excited about continuing to deliver value for our members through a comprehensive range of healthcare benefits and services, and making a significant contribution to Australia’s healthcare system.”

Joy commences her role with Bupa Australia today.

Joy Linton biography

• Joy held the role of CFO of National Foods since November 1, 2007. Prior to that Joy was General Manager Commercial for the Dairy Foods Group and also held a range of key financial roles within National Foods.
• Over recent years, Joy has been instrumental in the acquisition and integration of the Dairy Farmers, Lactos, Berri and King Island businesses respectively into National Foods, and was a key member of the National Foods business takeover defence team in 2004.
• Joy has 20 years of experience in strategic and financial roles with companies such as Ford Motor Company and Pacific Dunlop Food Group, more than 13 of which have been spent in the FMCG and dairy industries.
• Joy has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, a Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment from the Securities Institute of Australia, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Hisham El-Ansary biography

• Hisham joined Bupa Australia as CFO in September 2008, remaining in the role until February 2011.
• Over the past 27 years, Hisham has held CFO positions across the retail, energy, aviation and construction industries.
• Prior to joining Bupa Australia, Hisham was CFO of Myer department stores. He played a key role in the separation of the business from the Coles Group and was part of the management team which developed and implemented Myer’s turnaround strategy under its new private equity ownership structure.
• In 2008-09, Hisham oversaw the financial integration of MBF which established Bupa Australia as the largest privately managed health insurance provider in Australia. During 2010, he drove the sale of Clearview Life, and the acquisition of a number of subsidiary companies helping enhance Bupa Australia’s healthcare partner credentials.
• Hisham’s qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics, a Master of Business Administration, and Diploma in Company Directorship.
• He is an experienced company director serving on the boards of AirServices Australia (2001-2005), AvSuper Pty Ltd (2000-2006), Bupa Health Dialog Pty Ltd, Peak Health Management Pty Ltd, Health Eyewear Pty Ltd and Mutual Community General Insurance Pty Ltd.
• Hisham is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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^{About Bupa Australia
Bupa Australia Pty Ltd (“Bupa Australia”) is a leading healthcare company. With a presence in every Australian state and territory, the company operates under the brands, MBF, HBA, and Mutual Community, proudly covering more than three million Australians.}

^{Bupa Australia is focused on providing sustainable health insurance that represent real value to customers, and on leading the industry in the promotion of preventive health and wellness.}

^{Bupa Australia’s products and services include cover for hospital, medical, ancillary and ambulance services, as well as travel, life, and home insurance, and access to life insurance products.}

^{As part of the international Bupa Group, Bupa Australia draws on the strength and expertise of an international healthcare leader. The Bupa Group covers more than10 million people in approximately 190 countries and provides other health and financial services to many more millions of customers around the globe.}