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.
Department of Finance director general Jodi Cant has been recognised for her work in government, winning the Telstra Business Woman of the Year award for WA.
Growing concerns over the novel coronavirus have led this week to the cancellation of multiple business and sporting events, with the largest being HBF's Run for a Reason and the annual Steadfast Convention, which would have brought more than 2,000 insurance industry delegates to Perth later this month.
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.
Our weekly appointments wrap includes Nigel Blythe-Tinker, Mark Potts, Philip Mirams, Cameron Britt, Adam Stock, Donna Carrington, Prasad Arav, Sinead Taylor, Corinne Hawke, Robbie Wi
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.
Our weekly appointment wrap-up includes Donna Carrington, Gary Smith, Chris Kopec, Meredith McClements, John Gardner, John Goodlad, David Flanagan, Erica Smyth, Carmen Lawrence, John Chand
Western Australians are putting their bodies on the line to provide vital funds for some of the state's most active medical charities and research organisations.
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.
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.
Local tech startup Boundlss has ambitious plans to take its artificial intelligence health app to insurers across the globe, and is seeking to raise $4 million by February to help it achieve its goal.
The Western Australian cooperative and mutuals sector continues to perform strongly on the national stage, with WA accounting for four of the country's top 10 co-ops and mutual enterprises, a new report has found.
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.
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.
The Art Gallery of Western Australia plans to broaden its audience reach in 2017 with the renewal of galleries, development of new initiatives and partnerships, as well as the introduction of a contemporary series called Culture Juice.
The state's biggest health insurer, HBF, has shrugged off a challenging market to grow revenue and break the 1 million mark for membership, as it continues to push outside its Western Australian home base.
Western Australia workplaces are taking a big-picture view of employee wellbeing, implementing programs to target mental, social, financial and physical health.
