Southern Cross Health Society appoints Jan O’Keefe as next CEO
The HBF Health executive will lead New Zealand’s largest health insurer as the organisation prepares for its next phase of growth
Southern Cross Health Society has appointed Australian health insurance executive Jan O’Keefe as its next Chief Executive Officer, selecting a leader with experience across health insurance, healthcare delivery, and customer strategy.
O'Keefe, currently Chief Commercial Officer at HBF Health, one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit health insurers, will take up the role on 1 February 2027 following a transition period.
Her appointment comes as private health insurers continue to navigate rising healthcare costs, changing customer expectations, and increasing demand for integrated healthcare services across Australia and New Zealand.
Southern Cross Health Society Chair Chris Black said O’Keefe emerged from an extensive executive search process because of her broad leadership experience across both health insurance and healthcare organisations.
Before joining HBF Health, O’Keefe held senior executive positions with Medibank Group, including ahm, and I-MED Radiology, giving her experience across insurance, provider networks, and healthcare delivery.
Commenting on her appointment, O’Keefe said she was honoured to return to New Zealand after 15 years overseas. “It is a privilege to return home to New Zealand to lead an organisation that has such an important place in the lives of its members,” she said.
Black also paid tribute to outgoing Chief Executive Nick Astwick, who has led Southern Cross for the past decade and will remain in post until O’Keefe assumes the role next year to support an orderly leadership transition.
Southern Cross provides health insurance cover for almost one in five New Zealanders and says it pays more health insurance claims than any other insurer in the country. As a member-owned organisation, it reported returning more than 94% of premium income to members through claims during the 2025 financial year.
In other news, Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI), in partnership with Blink, has launched a new automated benefit for eligible policyholders in Australia and New Zealand, offering immediate support when international flights are delayed by two hours or more.