Bupa has announced that Simon Birch will be the next chief information officer for the Asia and Pacific region, following an extensive recruitment process both internally and externally.
Birch has extensive experience in technology leadership roles across major financial organisations, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Barclays in the United Kingdom. He will commence as CIO at Bupa in August 2023, allowing for a smooth transition with current Acting CIO Jenny Watson, who will move to the role of Senior Technology Director, Health Insurance and Business Services.
Bupa Asia and Pacific CEO, Nick Stone, said he was delighted to have someone of Simon’s calibre joining Bupa and thanked Jenny 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 Stone.
Stone said 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 as a way to improve their experience.
Birch added that It was a privilege to be taking up this leadership position.
“This is 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.”
