Benenden Health CEO leaves firm in surprise announcement for staff

THE chief executive of York-based Benenden Health has left the organisation, The Yorkshire Post can reveal.

Bob Andrews, who had been in the post since December 2017, left the organisation on Thursday with chairman David Furniss emailing staff on the day about the departure.

Staff are understood to have been surprised by the news and no public announcement has been made, although Mr Andrews’s profile page on the organisation’s website appears to have been removed.

Benenden Health has confirmed his departure after being contacted by The Yorkshire Post. A statement from Mr Furniss said: “We can confirm that Bob Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, has left Benenden Health. Since joining as CEO in December 2017, Bob has led Benenden Health on our journey to becoming a modern mutual. We are now working to appoint our new CEO.

“Everyone at Benenden Health would like to thank Bob for all his efforts and wish him the very best for the future.”

When asked about the reason for Mr Andrews’s departure, a spokesperson said: “We have no comment on that at this time.”

Benenden, a not-for-profit healthcare provider founded in 1905, provides its services to more than 800,000 members. Earlier this year, it announced a 50 per cent increase in new members in 2023.

It said more than 100,000 new members joined its service in 2023, while it also experienced a 36 per cent increase in service usage including its 24/7 GP helpline, mental health services, diagnostics, and treatment.

Mr Andrews said at the time: "I am confident the increase in our membership can be linked to the quality of service and reassurance that private healthcare offers, coupled with our affordability as a lowcost private health product.”