Fyffes’ Tolan to succeed Sheridan as VHI Healthcare chief executive

FYFFES’ chief executive Jimmy Tolan will succeed Vincent Sheridan as head of VHI Healthcare.

Mr Sheridan is retiring from the State-owned health insurer having been chief executive since 2001. Mr Tolan, who has been Fyffes chief executive since January 2007, will take up the role at the beginning of May. It is understood that he will be paid about €545,000 a year.

VHI chairman Bernard Collins said Mr Tolan’s experience running a big organisation is what the insurer needs.

“In the short-term he will help steer VHI through the transition to regulation by the Financial Regulator,” said Mr Collins.

Mr Tolan said in a statement: “I am very pleased to be joining VHI Healthcare at a challenging time for the private health insurance market and look forward to playing my part in helping VHI Healthcare continue to deliver quality and affordable healthcare for members.”

Fyffes chairman David McCann said he will take on the chief executive’s job following Mr Tolan’s departure. Mr McCann was chief executive of Fyffes from 1995 to 2006.

Fyffes said Mr Tolan will remain on the company’s board as a non-executive director.