March 10, 2023 and Foyer S.A., Luxembourg's leading privately owned financial group, signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Globality S.A., owned by ERGO Reiseversicherung AG, which is part of ERGO Group AG. This transaction is subject to the approval of the “Commissariat aux Assurances”.

Leadership in international health insurance

With this acquisition, Foyer S.A. is investing in a high-potential business sector and strengthening its position in international health insurance for expatriates, also known as IPMI ("International Private Medical Insurance"), an activity it has developed since 2014 through its young brand Foyer Global Health.

Globality’s team will integrate Foyer Group and will remain the trusted contact for Globality's distributors and customers. The combined expertise of Globality and Foyer Global Health’s teams will enable Foyer Group to further develop its activities and accelerate growth in the area of IPMI.

Bringing together two highly competent teams and advanced digital resources will focus on delivering enhanced services to all clients and distribution partners around the world.

Strategic partnership and development of synergies

Alongside the acquisition, Globality, Foyer and ERGO are developing a partnership in the field of distribution and international service centres. For example, Foyer Global Health / Globality IPMI products and solutions will continue to be integrated into ERGO and DKV's extensive international distribution network, which will benefit all of their customers.

Foyer will also retain Globality’s current relationships with ERGO’s international service centres, which will be key to ensuring continuity for current customers and offer a top tier service level to all its customers around the globe.

A win-win transaction

Through the acquisition of Globality, Foyer Group strengthens its position in the international health insurance market, while Globality brings its expertise and territorial reach, accelerating the expansion of its business.

Through this transaction and their partnership for the future, Foyer S.A. and ERGO are joining forces in distribution for the benefit of all Foyer Global Health and Globality partners and clients.

Marc Lauer, CEO of Foyer S.A. comments, "I am delighted to announce the acquisition of Globality, as it will undoubtedly enable us to accelerate our growth in the international health insurance sector.

While allowing us to continue providing our clients with the highest quality of service worldwide, this opportunity will take Foyer as a brand higher at an international level."

Founded in 1922, Foyer S.A. is a leading financial player in Luxembourg, celebrating its centenary in 2022. Its solidity lies in the strength of its shareholding, but also in the work of its 830 employees in three countries and its 625 agents in Luxembourg. Leader of the local life and non-life insurance, Foyer is active in several European countries through three business lines: insurance, benefit protection insurance and wealth management. Its extended range of products is aimed at individuals, professionals and companies, to whom it offers high-end and innovative services. Conscious of its corporate social responsibility, Foyer Group has also been involved for many years in general interest and solidarity projects.

Part of Foyer Group, a main financial and insurance player in Luxembourg, Foyer Global Health offers expatriate individuals and professionals, as well as their families, a complete range of health insurance cover that gives them access to top medical specialists and high-quality medical services around the world. Foyer Global Health's products are available directly online and are also distributed through an extensive network of trusted partners, such as international brokers and service providers.

International Medical Group® (IMG®) is pleased to introduce Scott Ackerman as the company’s new Chief Commercial Officer. Scott joins the IMG team with 30 years of experience in the travel and insurance industries.

“I couldn’t be more excited to take on this new role as Chief Commercial Officer at IMG,” said Ackerman. “I believe my knowledge and years of experience will help to lead the company’s Commercial operations forward, and I look forward to continuing to drive IMG’s industry-leading results.”

In this role, Scott will hold global responsibilities for sales and account management. He will be integral in leading revenue-based planning and forecasting, and most importantly, Scott will be responsible for the execution of IMG's revenue growth initiatives to drive new revenue and retain existing business for the company.

“Scott will be a key component in helping us achieve our ambitious growth plans over the next several years. We are looking forward to seeing the impact he will make as the Chief Commercial Officer, along with that of Amanda Winkle in her new role as Chief Operating Officer,” said Steve Paraboschi, President and CEO of IMG.

Prior to joining IMG, Ackerman held senior leadership roles at both Travel Leaders Group and AIG Travel Guard — where he spent nearly 10 years, ultimately serving as the Senior Vice President of the Americas. Ackerman also has a vast amount of experience in the global hospitality industry where he held various leadership roles in Sales and Marketing for more than 15 years.

“We’re excited to welcome Scott to IMG. His extensive leadership experience in the travel and insurance industries, high energy level, and proven success in executing growth plans are all factors that make him a fantastic addition to the team,” said Amanda Winkle, Chief Operating Officer of IMG.

Global Benefits Group (GBG), a specialty insurance organization administering international health, life, disability, and travel insurance today announced the launch of its new brand and newly designed website, gbg.com.

The redesigned site brings together their regions and divisions all under one holistic site.

The new website provides visitors and partners with a simpler way to learn about GBG’s capabilities on a cutting-edge platform. 

Chris DiSipio, Chief Executive Officer, Global Benefits Group, comments, "We are proud to introduce the new GBG brand as it aligns with our continued dedication to serve customers around the world."

GBG has nearly 40 years of experience providing support and guidance around the world.  The new brand demonstrates the passionate team of experts that handles the intricacies of international insurance so clients can live their life no matter where their lives take them…Go, we’ll be there!

Learn more by watching our latest corporate video, then come explore the new GBG at gbg.com.

ABOUT GBG: Global Benefits Group (GBG) is a global insurance group that administers and underwrites international health, life, disability, and travel insurance. With a client base that spans multinational corporations, expatriates, international students, high net-worth individuals, international schools, and non-profit organizations, GBG is committed to delivering outstanding customer service to the globally mobile population.

Global Benefits Group (GBG) is the marketing name for GBGI Limited and its subsidiary and affiliated companies. 

International healthcare specialist, AXA – Global Healthcare, has announced the appointment of Andy O’Cain as Global Head of Distribution, effective on December 1st 2021.  

Joining from Aetna International, O’Cain will oversee the strategic development of all aspects of global distribution across individual, small business and corporate client segments. He will lead the regional distribution activities delivered from AXA Global Healthcare’s sales hubs in the UK, Europe and Asia, and oversee the development of strategic distribution partnerships, to further strengthen AXA’s growing footprint in the IPMI market.

Andy Edwards, Global Head of International Insurance, AXA Global Healthcare, comments, “We’re excited to welcome Andy to our senior leadership team, and it comes at an opportune time in the evolution of our business. Since separating from AXA PPP Healthcare in 2017, to become an independent Managing General Agent, we’ve developed a strong brand presence in the IPMI market. We’ve enhanced our value proposition, expanded our global reach, and despite some of the challenges the market has experienced over the past few years – from Brexit to the Covid-19 pandemic – kept an uncompromising focus on delivering for the customer. And it’s this unwavering determination to put the customer first that drives our evolution."

“The last 18 months have prompted rapid changes from all of us. Expectations of what makes a good customer experience have changed, people’s trust in digital healthcare services has risen, people’s lifestyle priorities have adapted. We have some exciting developments ahead to meet these emerging needs and ensure our customers can continue to depend on us, wherever they are in the world. With Andy O’Cain joining our senior leadership team, we’re confident in our continued growth in both new and existing customer segments in the global healthcare market.”

With over 20 years’ industry experience, O’Cain has previously held several distribution and senior management roles within the global insurance market. Most recently, he was Distribution Director for Aetna International, where he led the distribution of international health insurance products, prior to which he was Head of Sales and Business Development at Cigna Insurance Services. He has also held a variety of other managerial roles within Allianz and Direct Line Group. From this experience, O’Cain brings excellent knowledge of distribution to individuals, SMEs and corporate businesses in the global market.

Commenting on his new role, O’Cain said, “I’m delighted to be joining the AXA Global Healthcare team and look forward to driving new opportunities for growth in all customer segments. The strength of the proposition and the customer first mindset gives me great confidence in what the future holds.” 

HealthCare International (HCI) is delighted to announce that Mark O'Dwyer has joined the HCI Global Network Limited Board in November 2021 as Non-Executive Chairman. 

Additionally Mark will become Chairman of the Risk and Audit Committee and will be a member of the Remuneration Committee.

Mark’s most recent role was as Managing Director of Bupa Global. While at Bupa, Mark was a Board member of Bupa Insurance (UK) and Chairman of Bupa Egypt. His experience includes both the commercial and regulatory aspects of the International Private Medical Insurance market.

Mark has extensive financial services and insurance experience from working at AIG, L&G, Royal London, Fidelity International over the previous twenty years before Bupa. Mark is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW).

Ian Wood MIoD ACMA CGMA, CEO of HCI said, “Appointing Mark as Chairman is a significant move forward for HCI, his blue chip industry experience and extensive commercial background will help us shape further our product and geographic offerings, I very much look forward to working with Mark in our next stage of building out the HCI business”

Mark O'Dwyer said, "I am delighted to be joining the HCI Board and working with Ian and the team as they continue to identify new opportunities for the business to grow".

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