Paul Schreier

I am absolutely delighted to join Simplyhealth’s Board as the new Chief Executive Officer. I believe that we have an amazing opportunity to make a difference to the health of people across the UK, which is something I feel passionately about.

Before joining Simplyhealth, I was the Interim CEO at the Wellcome Trust, a global charitable foundation where the purpose is to support science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone. After leading the Trust’s efforts on Covid-19 treatments, I became the global therapeutics co-lead of the World Health Organisation’s accelerating Covid tools partnership. I was also a member of the investment committee that oversees Wellcome’s substantial investments’ activities.

Born in Australia, I came to the UK to study a BA, Masters and PhD in chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge before joining the Royal Navy, serving as a navigator and fighter controller. After commanding a ship, I left to join McKinsey & Company where I became a partner before being appointed to the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, becoming deputy secretary with responsibility for economic policy and strategy. Later, I served as deputy vice-chancellor and Chief Operating Officer at Macquarie University in Sydney, before returning to the UK to join Hakluyt, a professional services firm, in 2016 as Chief Executive.

I am very much looking forward to leading Simplyhealth at this pivotal time in our country’s history, when improving access to healthcare has never been more important.