Discovery Announces New Discovery Health CEO
Discovery Announces New Discovery Health CEO. Discovery Health has announced the succession of the current CEO Dr Ryan Noach, with the appointment of Dr Ronald Whelan with effect from 1 January 2024. In line with the Group’s growth strategy and ambition, Discovery is also formalising its existing functions of Group Risk, Umbrella Funds, HealthyCompany, and Strategic Client Solutions Hub into a new business unit, Discovery Corporate & Employee Benefits.
Having held various positions over the last 15 years, Dr Noach will be leaving Discovery to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity in South Africa, that is outside of the healthcare and financial services sectors. As part of a succession plan that has been in place for over a year, current deputy CEO of Discovery Health, Dr Whelan, assumes the role of CEO at Discovery Health from the beginning of 2024.
Dr Whelan is a medical doctor with an MBA and extensive clinical and commercial healthcare experience. Over the last four years, he has been integrally involved across Discovery Health’s strategy, operations, scheme risk management and ancillary healthcare services. He also led Discovery Health’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, working closely with B4SA and the National Department of Health (NDoH) in the national vaccination project.
Group CEO Adrian Gore commented, “Ryan has played a pivotal role in the Group and we’re deeply thankful for the profound impact he has had. Discovery Health is in a very strong position as a market leader, achieving significant societal impact and delivering outstanding customer value and services. I have every confidence in Ron’s inspirational leadership and ability; and in the depth and strength of the broader Discovery Health executive team to take the business forward.”
In line with a longstanding tradition of retaining the collective institutional knowledge and expertise of past leadership, Dr Noach will serve as a non-executive director on the Discovery Health Board with effect from 1 January 2024. He also remains with Discovery until early 2024 to complete a full handover and smooth transition to Dr Whelan’s role as CEO.
