Axa Health commercial director Fergus Craig is to retire in May 2025 after more than 30 years in the business.
Vitality chief commercial director Ali Hasan will replace Craig as commercial director taking on the role before the end of February 2025, the insurer announced.
Craig (pictured) will remain for three more months to help with a smooth transition over to Hasan.
Hasan has been with Vitality since March 2015 and is also a non-executive director of healthcare regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and a non-executive director of Healthcode.
Prior to his current role, Hasan held a number of senior positions, including chief medical and healthcare officer and was regional medical director of Bupa from 2012 to 2015.
Hassan trained in and practiced medicine in teaching hospitals in London and has more than 15 years of experience across operational, executive, and non-executive roles.
Axa Health CEO Heather Smith said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ali as the new commercial director for Axa Health and I’m looking forward to him joining us.
“Ali has a wealth of experience and will be a fantastic addition to our team. I’m sure he will fit right into our culture and will be successful in helping us achieve our ambitions for Axa Health and supporting with the delivery of our strategy.“
Smith also thanked Craig for all his contributions during his long career and his role in the growth of the business.
“We will miss his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry, and I am pleased that he has committed to staying with us until May 2025 to ensure a smooth handover and to offer his support to Ali,” she added.
Commenting on his appointment Hasan said he was thrilled to be joining the insurer.
“I have a passion for improving performance and value in health and it is a privilege to join my new colleagues and help drive Axa Health’s leading position in proposition, experience, value, and outcomes,” he added.
Dr Keith Klintworth, managing director of VitalityHealth said: “Ali has made an enormous contribution to Vitality, in particular driving change in how we digitalise claims and always ensuring our members are at the very centre of everything we do, and we wish him very well in his future.
“Vitality has good processes in place for such resignations, and over the next few weeks, we’ll be putting these into place and looking at what any replacement role might be.”
Craig did not comment on the announcement.
Dr Ali Hasan’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval.
