Richard Bowden, currently managing director of the British arm of international healthcare group Bupa, has been named managing director of Bupa’s Australia and New Zealand business.

He replaces Dean Holden who is stepping down at the end of the year.

Bowden joined Bupa in 2002 as managing director of Bupa Australia, and became managing director of Bupa UK in 2012. He has worked in the health sector for 30 years and was previously the managing director of AXA Australia Health; chairman and president of Private Healthcare Australia; a commissioner on the Australian Commission of safety and Quality in Healthcare; and a Foundation Board member for Very Special Kids.