Meet our leadership team

Pedro was appointed Managing Director on 8 June 2023. In this role, Pedro is responsible for the delivery of strategy and leadership of Bupa’s Village and Aged Care business in New Zealand.

Pedro joined Bupa Sanitas Mayores SL – Bupa’s residences and aged care business in Spain – in 2006 as Operations Director. He later became General Manager of Sanitas Mayores in January 2021, growing the care home business to a portfolio of 43 care homes and 15 day care centres for the elderly.

Alongside a passion for aged care, and a strong customer focus, Pedro has a degree in chemistry from the University of Barcelona, and an MBA from Esade Business School. Prior to aged care, Pedro previously held management positions in industrial and chemical consumer industries.

Julie was appointed Deputy Managing Director in June 2023. In this role, Julie supports the Managing Director in the delivery of strategy and leads the operations of Bupa’s Village and Aged Care business in New Zealand.

Julie joined Bupa in 2013 as Financial Controller and was appointed Finance Director in 2016. From mid-2018 to mid-2019 she also held a dual role across the NZ and Australian aged care businesses. From August 2022 to June 2023 she held the role of Interim Managing Director, leading all aspects of the New Zealand business. Prior to joining Bupa, Julie worked in a number of senior financial leadership positions with the NZ Defence Force, Inland Revenue and Sainsbury’s in the UK.

Alongside a passion for aged care and a strong customer focus, Julie holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, from Victoria University, is a Member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors (CMInstD). Julie is an Independent Director on the Board, and chair of the Audit & Risk Committee, of SPCA New Zealand.

Rowena joined Bupa in June 2022. Rowena brings extensive experience in the retirement village and aged care industry, having previously been Senior Legal Counsel & Assistant Company Secretary at Metlifecare for a number of years. She has listed company secretary experience and broad legal and commercial skills, complemented by specialist retirement village regulatory expertise.

Rowena holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Science from the University of Canterbury, and is admitted as a lawyer in New Zealand.

Michael Burgess joined Bupa's leadership team in 2022. He brings a wealth of corporate affairs experience gained from senior roles in corporate, political and the public sector, and was most recently Head of External Relations at Bank of New Zealand. Prior to this he was the Director of Communications and External relations for the Mayor of Auckland and has held senior communications positions at Fonterra and for professional services firms in the UK. Mike holds a Bachelor of Communications from Auckland University of technology.

Josh joined Bupa in 2020. As Head of Customer and Brand, he leads marketing, propositions, customer experience and sales. He has over fifteen years’ experience in the technology sector, with nine of those years at executive level. Prior to Bupa, he worked as Head of Marketing and Partnerships at Public Trust and General Manager for Marketing at CSG NZ.

Josh is passionate about customer centricity, business transformation and strategy, and has a deep understanding and appreciation of the aged care industry. He holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Human Resources, from Massey University.

With over 12 years’ experience working within the health sector in New Zealand, Margaret joined Bupa in 2019. She has extensive people leadership experience within the public and private sector both in New Zealand and overseas. Prior to joining Bupa, Margaret was Director of People and Capability at Pegasus Health in Christchurch. 

Margaret holds a deep commitment to ensuring the work of the People Function supports excellence in service delivery for our customers, residents and their whānau. Margaret holds a Bachelor of Law, from the University of Canterbury, and a Masters in Business (specialty in Human Resources Management) from Queensland University of Technology.

Tim was appointed Finance Director in June 2023. In this role, Tim is responsible for managing Bupa’s finances which includes delivery of financial reporting and developing the financial strategy for the business.

Tim joined Bupa in 2018 as Head of Commercial Finance leading financial planning and reporting and driving commercial outcomes across the business. Prior to joining Bupa, Tim worked in senior financial leadership roles at EY and Z Energy.

Tim holds a Master of Business (Finance) and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Economics and Finance from the University of Otago.

David was appointed Director Technology and Transformation in March 2023. In this role, David is responsible for technology strategy and operations, delivery of strategic business change initiatives and the ongoing management of system and business process improvement for the Bupa New Zealand business.  

David joined Bupa in 2017 as Technology Director, after returning to Auckland following 11 years in Melbourne. Prior to Bupa, David held a number of Technology leadership roles across the Trans-Tasman including Oxfam Australia, Sky City New Zealand and KPMG New Zealand.

Holding a degree in Politics & Economics, from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, David is passionate about using technology in smart ways to enhance the quality of people’s lives and improve the way in which businesses and society work.

Richard joined the leadership team in 2015 and was previously the Commercial Director of Independent Living. Richard has over 30 years’ experience in civil engineering, building and project management and has extensive knowledge of the end-to-end design and construction process. He has worked on a number of international high-profile projects including the UK's Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Richard has worked in the retirement village sector for the past 18 years, and previously worked for Metlifecare as Group Development Manager, and for Vision Senior Living as General Manager Development. He holds a Masters of Engineering (Civil), from the University of Portsmouth.

Sandy joined Bupa in 2005 and worked as a Clinical and Care Home Manager prior to moving into the Clinical Services team in 2008 where she held a number of senior advisory roles.

She developed Bupa’s Professional Development and Recognition Programme making Bupa the first aged care provider to have a Nursing Council Approved Programme and was instrumental in developing the Bupa Mastering Clinical leadership programme.

Most recently Sandy has headed up the Projects team and overseen several significant projects including establishment of the Bupa Care Journey and implementation of VCare Electronic Care Management system. Sandy is a Registered Nurse with a post graduate certificate in Older Persons Health and has extensive experience in the aged care sector and community-based nursing.

Sandy is a proud Bupa nurse, passionate about residents having quality of life and great care and ensuring Bupa has a high-quality nursing workforce with the knowledge and skills to do this well.