Dr Arun Thiyagarajan has joined health insurance group VitalityHealth as its CEO, replacing Dr Keith Klintworth.

Thiyagarajan is no stranger to the health insurance world, having previously served at Bupa. His most recent role at the insurer was as global healthcare transformation director, but he was previously general manager at Bupa Global and UK health clinics; responsible officer, and medical director at UK health clinics.

Among his roles outside of Bupa, he has also been a GP and is currently a non-executive director at the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Thiyagarajan said: I am pleased to be joining Vitality this week, in what promises to be a very exciting year for the business. Vitality’s Shared Value approach to insurance, whereby their members, wider society alongside the insurer, gain value from everything they do, is completely unique. I look forward to taking forward these principles as we further grow the health business and being part of Vitality’s future.” 

Meanwhile Klintworth will step into a consultant role at Vitality. He held various roles at the company between 2010 and 2024. His job title at VitalityHealth was “managing director”. Sources close to the company say there is no change in the function of the role.

Neville Koopowitz, CEO of Vitality at group level, said: “Arun joins Vitality at a very important time for the business. Having seen considerable growth in recent years, we start 2025 with more Vitality members than ever before and a commitment to continue to provide them with an innovative range of health support across prevention, primary and secondary care.    

“Arun will be instrumental in our health business, further transforming the way we offer insurance, the services we provide and how we engage with our members, all helping them to live longer in better health.”