Australia’s second largest not-for-profit health fund, HBF, is pleased to announce Dr Lachlan Henderson has been appointed as 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’ 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. A short biography of Dr Henderson is attached in the Appendix.
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.”
Dr Henderson said:
“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.
“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.”
Simon Walsh will continue as HBF interim CEO until Dr Henderson commences in February 2023 and will support him through a transition period.
HBF Media Contact: Adrian Watson, HBF Corporate Affairs,
0419 040 807 / adrian.watson@hbf.com.au
Appendix
Dr Lachlan Henderson
MB BS, FRACGP, MHSM, GAICD, Cert Sports Med
Dr Henderson is a medical practitioner who has more than 30 years’ experience in the health industry. Prior to taking on a variety of executive leadership roles, he was a general practitioner for over a decade.
Dr Henderson is currently Group Chief Executive of Epworth HealthCare, a role he took on in January 2017. Epworth is the largest private, not-for-profit hospital group in Victoria with revenue in excess of $900m, employing over 7000 staff across 10 sites.
In his career, Dr Henderson has held a variety of university and board appointments. He is currently President of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) and was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, Cricket Australia in February 2022.
About HBF
HBF was founded more than 80 years ago in Perth and has provided private health insurance to generations of Western Australians. HBF has expanded to be Australia's second largest not-for-profit health fund, providing hospital and ancillary insurance to approximately 1.1 million members nationwide. HBF is also becoming a more active participant in health services through the recent acquisition of physiotherapy business Life Ready, ongoing expansion of HBF Dental, its partnership with TerryWhite Chemmart outside of WA and an ongoing alliance with Pharmacy 777 in WA. HBF is committed to actively connecting with and supporting the communities in which it operates as a trusted member-based organisation. Visit hbf.com.au