MELBOURNE – Vitura Health Ltd said on Thursday it has appointed former Health Insurance Fund of Australia chief executive Justin James as its new CEO, as the digital health platform looks to deepen its footprint in medicinal cannabis and psychedelic-assisted therapies.
James, who led HIF from 2020 to 2025, will take the helm at the ASX-listed Vitura on June 1. During his tenure at HIF, the not-for-profit insurer posted annual net profit of between A$5 million and A$20 million, driven by tighter financial controls and capital management, Vitura said.
At HIF, James pioneered member access and rebates for medicinal cannabis and advanced coverage design for psilocybin and MDMA-assisted treatment — areas central to Vitura’s operations. He also serves as a non-executive director and audit & risk chair for the Australian Medical Association’s Western Australia branch, and as chair at disability support organisation Allevia.
“Justin has an excellent understanding of the Australian healthcare sector and a proven track record delivering commercial success,” Vitura’s independent chair Robert Iervasi said in a statement. “His strategic alignment with Vitura was demonstrated by a motivation to expand patient access and informed choice in specialty and emerging therapies.”
James will receive a base salary of A$500,000 annually, plus superannuation, with a short-term incentive of up to 50% of base pay and a long-term incentive of up to 70%, delivered as performance rights over a three-year period.
He previously held a senior role at Bupa Health Insurance, overseeing sales and retention for a roughly A$7 billion annual revenue line and about 1,000 employees.
Vitura operates businesses including Burleigh Heads Cannabis, telehealth platform Doctors on Demand, and a 50% joint venture with Canada’s PharmAla Biotech to supply GMP MDMA and psilocybin for research and therapeutic use.
The appointment follows a domestic and global search, the company said. James is subject to a six-month probation period and can be terminated by either party with six months’ written notice.
“We look forward to Justin coming on board soon to accelerate and successfully deliver the next phase of Vitura’s transformation,” Iervasi said.