OREANDA-NEWS. Bupa, the international healthcare group, today announced the appointment of Clare Thompson to its Board as a Non-Executive Director. Clare will also Chair Bupa's Audit Committee from 1 July 2015.

Clare is a qualified Chartered Accountant and was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) from 1988 until 2011. Whilst Clare was at PwC, she held several senior and high profile roles, including within the insurance sector.

Clare is a Non-Executive Director on the Direct Line Group Board and the Board of Retail Charity Bonds plc, a Non-Executive member of the Board of Miller Insurance Services LLP, as well as being Honorary Treasurer for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

Clare's appointment comes as two long serving Bupa Board Members step down - George Mitchell and John Lorimer. George joined the Board in May 2007, and has been Senior Independent Director since May 2013. He will officially step down at the 2015 AGM (14 May 2015). John has been a member of the Board since July 2011. His tenure will end on 30 June 2015.

Lord Leitch, Chairman of Bupa, said:

"We are delighted to welcome Clare to the Board. She brings a wealth of experience, which will be of great value to the Board as Bupa delivers on our vision in fulfilment of our purpose: longer, healthier, happier lives.

"The Board and I would also like to extend our gratitude to George and John for their years of service, and invaluable contribution whilst on the Board."

Clare joins the Bupa Board on 1 May 2015.