50 year of AMS – Trustee's view
A Trustee's view on the people and organisations that influenced the Scheme over the years
Medwyn du Bois, one of our employer appointed Trustees, is currently the longest-serving Trustee on the board of the Anglo Medical Scheme. MediBrief asked Medwyn to reflect on 50 years of AMS and his time with the Scheme.
MediBrief: Medwyn, you played an instrumental role in steering the Scheme to the solid position it enjoys today. Who were the key people that influenced you and that you worked with when you came on board?
Medwyn du Bois: This is a difficult question as I have dealt with many memorable characters over the years. But those who had a significant influence on my own understanding and views about the Scheme and the industry in general are, in no particular order, Peter Eustace (my first Chairman), Dr Brian Brink, Rob Lloyd, Dave Barber and our current Chair, Colleen Elliott. This list would not be complete without special mention of Les Lloyd, who tirelessly lobbied the Anglo executive and former CEO Tony Trahar to obtain their support for the Scheme, without whose involvement the Scheme’s finances would not be in such good shape. I am sure that many members will fondly remember the former Scheme Principal Officer Priscilla Scott and her team of Ann and Angela.
MediBrief: As our Board and Head Office changed over the years, so did our administrators – the face of the Scheme and the teams our members deal with on a day-to-day basis. We are in our fourth year with our current administrator Discovery Health. Who else serviced our members in the past?
Medwyn du Bois: Since my first involvement, the Scheme has had five different administrators, each of which has left their mark. The early 1990s were highly significant for South Africa as it began its journey towards a true democracy. These were also critical years for the medical schemes industry as it began to get to grips with rampant medical inflation and, for the first time, the need to control and even cut benefits. The Scheme's administrators at the time were AMA working with Len Deacon as the Principal Officer. In an attempt at controlling rising costs, Anglo American embarked on a venture partnership with a US healthcare company and established Southern Healthcare, which took over the administration from
AMA. Sadly, the venture didn't work out as hoped, and Southern Healthcare was eventually absorbed into Medscheme. It was an unhappy relationship that eventually led the Scheme to appoint Sovereign Health as its administrators. Sovereign were a revelation and soon had the Scheme's administration humming based on a passion for personal service. But, in a rapidly changing world, Sovereign were taken over by Momentum Health which was later amalgamated into the Metropolitan Group. Throughout these changes service levels remained high, but the Scheme’s Trustees were looking for more, and after an exhaustive due diligence, appointed our current administrators, Discovery Health, who have more than justified their appointment.
MediBrief: Anglo Medical Scheme has always enjoyed strong partnerships with their independent consultants. Which companies and people were working on your side to ensure the Scheme would celebrate its 50th birthday – and many more?
Medwyn du Bois: How fortunate the Scheme has been with its NMG relationship over the years! Our first consultant was a young far-sighted actuary, Andrew Sykes, who entrenched and guided us on the philosophy of long-term thinking and financial planning, which was quite unusual in medical schemes back in the 1990s. A number of fine actuarial minds followed: Colin Bullen and Sarah Bennett, and then Jeanine Schubach and her excellent team, two of whom deserve special mention – Ryan Erasmus and Evan Bradley. We are now fortunate to have Lara Wayburne and Johnathan Crawford who continue to provide innovative and forward thinking. The task of managing many hundreds of millions of Rands on behalf of the members created the need to seek professional investment advice and Towers Watson, together with our investment managers, Allan Gray, Coronation and Investec, have all added significant value to ensure the Scheme remains viable for many years to come.
MediBrief: Lastly, what have been some of the highlights during your last 26 years as a Trustee?
Medwyn du Bois: Without any doubt, a highlight has been to work with incredibly gifted and talented people, dedicated to serving the Scheme's members.
Everyone has been special in some way. I feel most privileged to have served the Scheme and its members over the years.