Board appointment at Simplyhealth Group

The Simplyhealth Group has appointed Julie Hopes as non-executive director.

Hopes will join the board in May, subject to regulatory approval. She will also take over as chair of the risk and capital committee from Jenny Knott, who is retiring at the AGM at the end of her term.

Hopes has held senior leadership and board roles across insurance, retail financial services and purpose-led organisations. She began her career at Nationwide Building Society before spending 19 years at RSA Insurance, where she held positions including managing director of corporate partnerships and international operations director.

She later helped establish the insurance business at Tesco Bank before becoming CEO of The Conservation Volunteers.

Her non-executive roles have included chair of Police Mutual Assurance Society, senior independent director and remuneration chair at West Bromwich Building Society, and risk chair positions at Co-operative Insurance, MS Amlin and Saga plc. She is currently senior independent director and deputy chair at Secure Trust Bank.

Commenting on her appointment, Hopes said: ‘I am really pleased to be joining the Simplyhealth Group at a time when improving access to healthcare matters so deeply. Simplyhealth’s long history, purpose-led approach and commitment to simplifying access to affordable healthcare by removing barriers and reducing cost strongly align with my own values.’

Chair of the Board Rita Clifton CBE said: ‘Julie brings a wealth of experience across financial services, insurance and member-led organisations, with deep expertise in risk, governance and customer-focused transformation. Her insight and values align strongly with our organisation’s purpose, and we are delighted to welcome her to the Board.’