Martyn Joined WHA as the CEO in 2017 and has been working since that point to ensure WHA continues to thrive and support our health services.
Julie joined WHA in 2016 and has been primarily responsible in updating our systems so that they can support the push for growth that is happening now.
Martin became part of WHA when Plutus Health joined with WHA in 2020 having steered Plutus Health as their CEO for several years.
Joined the board in Autumn 2018 and was elected chair in February 2021
Prior to joining WHA, Jeremy had worked for many years within the corporate management of local authorities including nearly 9 years as a local authority chief executive.
His professional background is as a solicitor and he currently works for One Legal in Gloucestershire advising local authorities on all aspects of planning law and corporate governance.
Joined the board in September 2010
Maliika works for Public Health Wales as a senior project manager and brings to the board many years as a HR professional and experience in working within large organisations.
She is an enthusiastic gardener and a keen promoter of health and wellbeing activities.
Joined the board in July 1987
Retired Calibration Engineer and Company Health and Safety Officer, with responsibility for the management of Quality Control Systems.
Community Councillor for 30+ years.
North Wales Independent Press and Scottish Power Your Champions Award for voluntary work.
Joined the board in February 2023
Mike is a Financial Services Non-Executive with an extensive understanding of risk profiling key strategic corporate decisions within a regulated environment.
Knowledge of all areas of board requirements including Business Development, Marketing, Corporate Governance, Corporate Planning, Operations, Finance, Risk and Budgeting.
Joined the board in February 2023
Stuart brings with him a wealth of business experience and in particular Information Technology having built and run a software company over a 30 year career.
His entrepreneurial experience is a great asset as WHA continue to expand and increase our customer base and product offerings.
With roots firmly in Wales and servicing the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland, we’ve been helping communities access affordable healthcare for more than 70 years as a not for profit company.
Healthcare before the NHS
Before the dawn of the NHS in 1948, the ability to see a doctor was, unfortunately not enjoyed by all. In addition, many working people lived and toiled in unsanitary and hazardous conditions, which impacted on their health.
Forerunners to the NHS started to appear in the 1800s, when miners and steelworkers clubbed together to form medical societies. An early example was the Medical Aid Society in Tredegar in the south Wales valleys - which inspired a young miner at the Ty Trist Colliery, one Aneurin Bevan.
Most people in the town would join their local medical society, paying a small amount each week to cover the fees of the doctor and an assistant. When they were ill, they would be able to call the doctor, safe in the knowledge their medical expenses would be covered.
The origins of WHA
In our birthplace of south Wales, the Cardiff and District Hospital Society was set up in 1912 to fund Cardiff Royal Infirmary. Between the society’s foundation and 1948, it raised more than £1m for local hospitals.
On July 5, 1948, the NHS was launched. Just a few weeks later on July 30, the Welsh Hospitals and Health Services Association was formed, continuing the work carried out by the Cardiff and District Hospital Society.
Such was the initial success of the NHS, with its free prescriptions, free glasses and even free false teeth, it seemed at first that the medical societies and clubs would no longer be needed. But, by 1953 - and despite opposition from Aneurin Bevan - the need to charge for some medical services became evident, and prescription fees were introduced. The future of health plan providers like WHA was secured.
The first registered address of WHA was 107 Newport Road, Cardiff. A move to 60 Newport Road followed in 1957 with our latest move in 2023 to new premises where we are today.
In 1964, the Welsh Hospitals and Health Services Charity Fund was established. Up until today, 2022, we have given more than £250,000 to medical, nursing and hospital institutions, as well as bursaries to nurses, donations to the League of Hospital friends and donations to almost every new district general hospital built in Wales
