HCB Australia – a joint venture between UK and Ireland-based company HCB Group and Australian rehabilitation provider nb&a group – has launched in South Australia, choosing Richmond as the home of its national head office.

Building on the success of the UK proposition, which champions early intervention and employee health management, HCB Australia aims to bring a new dynamic to the Australian income protection and employee wellness market. It also aims to “change the mindset relative to what a fully integrated holistic and outcome-focused occupational health provider can deliver.”

nb&a group director Natalie Bottroff commented: “We are thrilled to be invited by HCB Group to launch their award-winning program of early intervention into the Australian life insurance market.

“Our two companies have many synergies in the service ethos we follow, and this joint venture, linking the expertise of a successful UK model into the Australian market for improved quality of life for clients, is an exciting development.”

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HCB Group has been supporting disability insurers and employers in the UK and Ireland since 1984.

Jim Harris, managing director of HCB Group, stated that the company was one of the pioneers of the early intervention service supporting income protection providers in both regions.

“We have produced overwhelming evidence that intervening early really does improve outcomes for employees and employers while also optimising claims outgo for insurers,” Harris said.

“I am truly delighted to blend our years of experience with the local expertise of nb&a group, where we hope to deliver the same excellent service and outcomes for Australian insurers and employers.”