David Allen - Chairman
After some thirty years as a member of Health Shield and a long career as an accountant with its biggest customer, naturally I was delighted to be asked to join the Board.
Now, as Chairman, I am privileged to work with a team of creative and dedicated people from bottom to top. Together we have seen the Society develop and grow in value, product and market presence and the promise for the future is exciting indeed.
Alex McKinnell MBE - Deputy Chairman
I joined the Board in 1984. I am an Actuary and have worked for 36 years in the pension field. I believe I bring strong financial experience and a long term perspective to Health Shield. My business experience has taught me the value of treating people fairly and having products that they understand. I believe in the cash plan business, which helps people with the rising cost of everyday healthcare, which is limited or not available on the NHS.
Health Shield is now growing again, after big changes to its customer base, and I think it now has a bright and exciting future. It is a pleasure to be part of the team responsible for this.
Jonathan Burton - Chief Executive
I have been Chief Executive since 2001 having previously been the Society's Finance Director. With the help of a great team of people around me I have seen the Society go from strength to strength during the last few years.
Health Shield's success during this time can be attributed to adopting an approach which specifically identifies and addresses the needs of its members. I feel that a strong, cohesive team, all working for the benefit of the Society and its members, is of the utmost importance in order that the Society can achieve its planned long-term business objectives.
Tabitha Brufal - Non-executive Director
I started my career as a clinical psychologist, helping adults with problems such as depression, anxiety and panic. I now work as a civil servant and have been involved in a variety of policy and strategy development projects.
I think Health Shield offers a range of flexible products which help people cover additional health care costs. The tailored schemes also offer employers the opportunity to promote health and well-being across their workforce.
I am married with six year old twins. I enjoy living in London but also like walking and cycling in the country.
Michael Carpenter - Non-executive Director
I joined the Board in 2003, after holding a number of posts in the European Commission and the Government Legal Service, involving complex international negotiations and frequent contact with Ministers. This experience has taught me the value of combining independence of mind with being an effective 'team player'.
I have a particular responsibility for treating customers fairly, where my background as a lawyer in the public service and as a pension trustee equips me to see both sides of the relationship with our members.
Alan Phizacklea - Non-executive Director
My association with Health Shield started in 1974 when the company I worked for was appointed as Investment Manager to the Society's investment portfolio.
During the next 23 years, until my early retirement from the City at the end of 1997, I was directly or jointly responsible for managing the portfolio.
I was delighted to be subsequently appointed to the Board working with, and for, a company which I see has a big future.
Brian Stringer - Non-executive Director
My involvement with Health Shield started over 36 years ago and I have seen many changes over this time. In recent years, under the direction of the current executive team, the Society is thriving in the highly competitive healthcare cash plan market place and our membership is growing. My professional expertise within Human Resources has provided me with a wealth of experience on people issues and the necessary strategic direction to ensure the future growth of the Society. There is a buzz at Health Shield, where every member of the team is working hard to provide a customer service which is second to none and I am pleased to be a part of that team in a non-executive Director role.
Mel Welsh - Non-executive Director
I have been a member of Health Shield for almost 40 years and a member of the Board of Management for 18 years. I am an IT Manager and started my career in Human Resources so I have a good knowledge of both areas. As a friendly society there are no shareholders and any surplus generated is ploughed back for the benefit of its members. Our aim is to see the Society expand and improve its market share. We will try to improve our membership products, whilst still retaining our strong levels of customer service. I see an exciting future ahead in a difficult market and we will strive to ensure that Health Shield delivers on its promises.
Maxine Wilson - Executive Director
Having joined Health Shield in 1999 as Society Accountant, I was pleased to be invited to join the Board during 2005.
As Finance Director, I have been impressed with the progress made through the hard work and dedication of the team at Health Shield, which has seen turnover and assets increase to record highs. It is a pleasure to be part of the team that is committed to the further development and growth of Health Shield, whilst being responsible for ensuring that appropriate advice is given to the Board on all financial matters.
Philip Wood - Executive Director
Having worked for Health Shield for over 18 years, in a variety of customer facing roles, I was delighted to join the Board in 2005. As Executive Director responsible for Sales & Marketing, I fully understand the fine balance between trying to fulfil members' needs, and the longer term business implications for the Society.
I am excited and fully committed to helping develop further membership service and product improvements, as part of the Health Shield team. This will help to improve Health Shield's position and share of the healthcare cash plan market, whilst keeping within the Society's not-for-profit friendly society values.
Michael Yates - Non-executive Director
I was delighted to be elected to the Board after being a Representative of Health Shield for many years.
I work within the railway industry and am actively involved in both union matters and the first aid movement. I am committed to the principles of the not-for-profit friendly society movement. I feel that I help represent Health Shield's members' interests in the future development of the Society.
I have seen Health Shield change considerably during the last ten years and feel that we can continue to evolve, grow and improve even more during the next ten year period.