HBF's point man on health sat down with Business News last month to talk about national expansion, the pandemic, and the pressures coming to bear on Australia's health insurance market.
John Van Der Wielen, Ivy Chen and Larry Lopez will head up a $100 million state government program launched to attract investments to potential growth industries.
HBF's expansion spree has rolled on apace this year, with the not-for-profit health insurer moving to acquire WA-based allied health outfit Life Ready Health Group.
HBF has taken a 10 per cent stake in ASX-listed dentistry outfit Pacific Smiles Group, following a 10-year partnership agreement struck between the two in 2020.
HBF will follow through with its pledge to refund deferred claims to patients and is expecting to make about 500,000 payments worth $40 million to policyholders.
Residents in WA's north will benefit from more ambulances and paramedics as part of the first phase of the state government's country ambulance strategy.
The state government has appointed the advisory council of the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, including HBF chief executive John Van Der Wielen as chair.
HBF achieved a net positive result in the previous financial year, despite declining investment returns contributing to a more than halving of its year-on-year profitability.
The state government has set up an advisory group, with executives from more than 20 businesses and community groups, to provide advice on the impacts of COVID-19 and measures to help economic recovery.
HBF is utilising the popularity of quokkas as a symbol of Western Australia and its status as a not-for-profit business as it takes on the big health funds on the east coast.
HBF chief executive John Van Der Wielen said the costs of medical technology and an ageing population are driving up health insurance premiums, as debate intensifies over sector reforms and how to keep price rises in check.
Perth-based health insurer HBF has posted a 53 per cent rise in its net surplus to $93.7 million, while profit at the state government-owned Insurance Commission of WA fell 27 per cent to $203.5 million, despite an improved return on its investments.
HBF has sold the Friendlies Pharmacy master franchise, under which 31 Western Australian pharmacies currently operate, to Pharmacy 777 and agreed to partner with the buyer to provide preventative health services to its members across the stores.
Reserve Bank of Australia board member Mark Barnaba will chair a new investment committee at not-for-profit health fund HBF, overseeing a $1.7 billion investment portfolio.
Insurance giant HBF has placed its headquarters at Kings Square on the market, appointing JLL to handle the sale of the asset in an improving Perth CBD office market.
Leaders interviewed for the annual Business News CEO survey suggest that forward-looking decisions on energy policy and tax will be vital for WA's future prosperity.
Three major sporting facilities in Perth will bear the name of health insurer HBF after the organisation signed a deal for the naming rights to nib Stadium.
HBF has flagged the possible sale and lease-back of its head office building in central Perth after reporting a lift in its financial performance and a major shift in its east coast growth strategy.
HBF last night launched its new Perth city branch at Kings Square, which includes a raft of modern technology experiences including a Skype station and self-service digital claims processing.
In a wide-ranging video interview, HBF managing director John Van Der Wielen has sat down with Mark Pownall to discuss the group's future growth strategy, along with his diverse career and regulatory challenges facing the finance sector.
Western Australia's largest health insurer HBF and east coast counterpart HCF have ended discussions regarding a planned merger but neither has clearly explained the reasons.
Former Business News 40under40 winner Sally Capp has been elected as Melbourne's lord mayor, joining a growing list of past winners who have gone on to bigger things since claiming the award.
Almost $100 million could be saved through a merger of health insurance mutuals HBF and HCF, while Western Australian customers would benefit from better services in dental and optometry, according to HBF managing director John van der Wielen.
John Van Der Wielen-chaired Kyckr has announced the commencement of revenue from information services giant Bloomberg through its deal to provide global business registry date for the data service's customers.
Global regulatory technology play Kyckr has appointed Tesco Bank CEO Benny Higgins to replace HBF CEO John Van Der Wielen as chairman next year as the group revamps its board.
Cost reductions, east coast expansion, and cutting the number of products on offer are all part of HBF chief executive John Van Der Wielen's strategy to help the not for profit deliver results for members in a tough private health insurance market.
One of the state's most experienced financial services leaders, John Van Der Wielen says the opportunity to put something back into the community was one factor motivating his move to HBF.
John Van Der Wielen-chaired Kyckr announced to the ASX today that it has signed a deal with global information services giant Bloomberg to provide global business registry data for the data service's customers.
OPINION: The importance of cybersecurity in the financial services sector is being reflected in the growing number of related capital raisings and listings.
The new chief executive of HBF believes his international experience will help the not-for-profit health fund grow and prosper in the current challenging market conditions.
HBOS Australia subsidiary St Andrew's Australia has made a full year profit before tax of $22.6 million, a 109 per cent increase on the 2005 calendar year.
