Lance brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience, including over eight years as CEO within the life, health, and travel insurance sectors. He has a deep understanding of the industry and a strong connection to the member-focused values of mutual societies, positioning him well to lead UniMed into its next phase of growth.

Lance has an extensive track record in cultural transformation, operational excellence, and stakeholder engagement. His career achievements include spearheading IT modernisation, strengthening risk and compliance frameworks, and delivering significant operational and cultural uplift through large-scale transformations. He has held CEO roles at WellingtonNZ, where he revitalised culture and stakeholder relationships; at Cigna Life Insurance NZ (now Chubb), where he drove business transformation and innovative partnerships; and at Loyalty New Zealand, where he expanded the Fly Buys programme and launched new data and analytics services.

His governance experience includes serving as Chair of Creative HQ, Deputy Chair of Nuku Ora, and holding board roles with the Young Enterprise Trust, the NZ Marketing Association, and the Financial Services Council.

Following its recent merger with Accuro Health Insurance, UniMed has become the third-largest health insurer in New Zealand. With a mission to keep working New Zealanders and their families in lifelong good health through accessible, affordable health insurance and wellbeing services, Lance’s appointment is a pivotal step in advancing the organisation’s purpose.

We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Johnson Partners account team — Nicola Morris, Wendy Flynn, Wendy Sole, and Getsy Evangelin — in leading this successful search.