Two organisations with significant presence in Australia’s insurance and legal services sectors have made leadership moves, with Bupa lifting its ANZ chairman to a global board seat and Sparke Helmore bringing in a casualty-focused partner to its Sydney office.
Tony Johnson (pictured), who has led the Bupa ANZ board since January 2024, will take on an additional position as a non-executive director on the Bupa Group board beginning June 1, 2026. He will continue in his ANZ chairmanship alongside the new global appointment. The group board carries responsibility for the organisation’s strategic direction, risk appetite, and governance oversight across Bupa’s international markets. It also holds accountability for ensuring company culture remains consistent with the organisation’s stated purpose and values.
Johnson’s career has been concentrated in financial services and professional services leadership across Australia and New Zealand. He spent a portion of his career at EY, where he reached the position of partner and CEO of EY Oceania and contributed to both Asia-Pacific and global leadership structures within the firm. His current board commitments include Allianz Australia, where he chairs the Audit Committee, along with Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited, Kieser Australia, and E&P Financial Group. Outside the corporate sphere, he holds positions on the Melbourne Cricket Club Committee, the Board of Management of the Melbourne Theatre Company, and the Council of Monash University, and serves as a Trustee of the Collier Charitable Fund.
His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Economics, a Master of Business Administration (Executive), and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment. He holds membership and graduate standing with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and fellowship status with both Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Financial Services Institute of Australia. Bupa Group board chair Don Robert, CBE, said: “We are delighted to welcome Tony to the Bupa Group board. His appointment will enhance the financial services experience on the board, particularly with his experience in Australia, Bupa’s largest market, as well as further strengthening the relationship with the Bupa ANZ board,” Robert said.
Ryan Francis has moved from Lander & Rogers to join Sparke Helmore as a partner within its casualty practice group, with his start date recorded as May 18, 2026. He will operate out of the firm’s Sydney office. Francis works across product liability and public liability matters, with additional experience in worker-to-worker injury claims and coverage advice across general insurance lines. His litigation background centres on disputes in the construction, manufacturing, and retail sectors, where he has acted for large manufacturers and national retailers facing personal injury claims and product defect allegations. A separate portion of his workload involves schools and faith-based organisations, where he advises on historical claims and a range of personal injury matters. His standing in the market has been acknowledged through consecutive listings in Best Lawyers in Australia for Insurance Law and Litigation since 2019. Doyle’s Guide also recommended him among public liability defendant lawyers in 2025.
Sparke Helmore’s national practice group leader for casualty, Belinda Michalk, said: “We are pleased to welcome Ryan to our team. As a firm, we have ambitious growth plans in the area of public liability and personal injury and bringing on board a partner of Ryan’s calibre enables us to provide exceptional support to our clients.” Francis, commenting on his decision to join the firm, said: “It was important for me to join a firm known for its culture of collaboration and one with a clearly defined strategy for growth and success. Joining Sparke Helmore allows me to build on valued relationships in the industry, to provide a premium service to clients, and play a key role in growing the firm’s casualty practice.”
