1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1985 - 1987 ............................................................................................ Our story began 40 years ago. While working at the French Embassy in Jakarta in the early 1980s, Pascal Rey-Herme, a French doctor spotted a real need: delivering international standards of healthcare and emergency medical assistance to the wider expatriate community and international organisations in the region. He shared his ideas with his childhood friend, senior businessman Arnaud Vaissié.
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1988 - 1991 ............................................................................................ Arnaud and Pascal had a clear vision: to provide an assistance service throughout Asia, connecting emerging countries with the advanced services available in places like Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Central to this service delivery was having a deep understanding of the local standard of care in each country.
1992 .................................................................................................. This year brought a major partnership with Freeport in West Papua and the Asia Pacific. Freeport-McMoRan, a US based mining and oil company, operates the world’s largest gold deposit and the second-largest copper mine in West Papua. The mine, located at 12,000 feet, transports ore to lowland port facilities for global processing. The challenging equatorial landscape includes the sea, plains, rainforests, and mountains. Initially lacking medical infrastructure, the region saw significant development with Freeport’s expansion.
1993 ............................................................................................ International SOS expanded into China by initially providing assistance services from Hong Kong. After several attempts, we partnered with the Beijing Red Cross. Despite the political turmoil surrounding Tiananmen Square in June 1989, we proceeded with our plans and received approval to open an office and Assistance Centre in Beijing, with plans to establish a clinic in partnership with the Beijing Red Cross.
1994 ............................................................................................ As we developed our remote locations in Asia, a number of our clients were also establishing operations in Africa, which gave us an opportunity to offer our services there, too. Nigeria was a key entry point, and the acquisition of Service Medical International (SMI) was seen as a major milestone.
1995 ............................................................................................... International SOS expanded its operations by establishing Assistance Centres in Asia, Australia and the US, as well as clinics in China and Vietnam.
International SOS did a fantastic job. We couldn’t have asked more of them. It was a difficult time in difficult conditions and required great professionalism. Robert Schroeder, Executive Vice President, Director CEO, Freeport Indonesia
GO TO NEXT DECADE
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
1995 - 1999 ............................................................................................ International SOS Assistance and AEA joined forces, enabling expansion into Europe and the US, to meet the increasing global operations of our corporate clients. The acquisition brought established offices in Geneva and London. Arnaud realised very early on that combining the two companies would be very powerful. In 1998, International SOS' began its contract with the US Department of Defence in the Asia-Pacific.
2000 ............................................................................................ Led by Dr Ian Cornish and Dr Fraser Lamond, we established South Africa's first dedicated jet air ambulance service. They secured a Falcon 10 aircraft, equipped it with advanced medical facilities, and trained a specialised team. This service quickly proved its value, notably saving the life of a young snakebite victim and many others. The initiative not only improved medical transport standards, but also built a positive reputation with authorities, easing flight clearances and giving us a competitive edge.
2001 ............................................................................................ The launch of TravelTracker (now called 'Tracker') was a pivotal milestone. Initially developed in response to a client’s need for pre-travel information, we developed Automated Travel Advisories (ATAs). The urgency for a comprehensive tracking tool became evident after 9/11, leading to the creation of Tracker in December 2001. This tool provided real-time travel itinerary information, significantly improving client response times during crises. Today, Tracker tracks around 7.7 million international travellers annually and has proven indispensable during major global incidents.
2002 - 2003 ............................................................................................ Our pandemic preparedness website was launched following our support during the SARS outbreak in 2003. We established a dedicated support team to provide balanced, vital information and advice. Led by senior medical professionals, our team ensured compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols. To address the challenge of safely transporting infectious patients, Dr Roger Farrow designed the Portable Medical Isolation Unit (PMIU), which was developed in just ten days. This innovation significantly enhanced our clients' ability to manage health crises effectively.
2004 ......................................................................................... International SOS supported those affected by the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, and the first crisis website was launched in response.
2005 ............................................................................................ TravelReady was introduced, as web-based tool linked to 'Tracker', which encourages people to prepare for higher-risk destinations using reminders and checklists specific to each country or destination. Inbuilt follow-ups helped ensure compliance. International SOS won the “Most Innovative Use of Technology in Global Mobility” award at the 2014 EMMAs (Expatriate Management & Mobility Awards) for our Tracker solution, its integration with TravelReady Plus, and its seamless integration with our Assistance Centre platform.
International SOS Assistance and AEA Join Forces
Established Offices in London and Geneva
US Department of Defence Contract Begins
The tsunami was one of the worst catastrophes many of us can remember. More than ever we were capable of helping out. Co-Founder and Group Medical Director, Dr Pascal Rey-Herme
GO TO PREVIOUS DECADE
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2005 - 2006 ................................................................................................... Operations in North Africa and the Middle East started to be managed from the new Assistance Centre in Dubai. In 2006, International SOS's medical transports became the first direct flights between mainland China and Taiwan to be flown since 1949.
2007 - 2008 ............................................................................................ International SOS formed a strategic alliance with Control Risks to deliver travel security services. MedAire became part of the International SOS group. We played a major assistance role to our clients at the Beijing Summer Games 2008.
2009 ............................................................................................ International SOS established a Latin American division with offices in Miami, Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro. A new clinic in Takoradi, Ghana was opened. Arnaud Vaissié was awarded the "Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2009 – Singapore".
2010 ............................................................................................ A strategic alliance with RMSI (Remote Medical Solutions International) begins. International SOS named ‘Enterprise of the Year’ in the Singapore Business Awards 2010, honoured for 25 years of providing travel risk mitigation and assistance services in Singapore.
2012 ............................................................................................ The International SOS Freeport malaria programme in DRC won an award. Our second corporate HQ opened in Chiswick Park, London. The International SOS Assistance App was launched. International SOS expanded its clinic network in China to the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA).
2013 - 2015 ............................................................................................ A strategic partnership with WARA (Western Africa Rescue Association) was formed. Support was provided in the fight against Ebola in West Africa. Response Services Australia was launched to address rescue and recovery services nationwide. CSR committee and board were established.
MedAire Offices in the US with Captains and Flight attendants using services.
International SOS Rio De Janeiro Office.
International SOS Founder, Arnaud Vaissié awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Takoradi, Ghana Opens a New Clinic.
International SOS entered into a partnership with AMAS Medical Services in India. Acquisition of Nordic Medical Services (NMS) in Kurdistan, and Kokstad BHT, SBHT and Haugaland HMS in Norway.
2011 ............................................................................................ International SOS and International Health Care launched a joint venture in Brazil. The International SOS Foundation was launched. International SOS acquired L.E. West EMC, Shenton Pharmacy and Nutracare Pharma. We also acquired Aspire Lifestyles, creating a new concierge service.
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2015 - 2017 .................................................................................................................... International SOS partnered with BSI, the Business Standards Company, to publish PAS 3001:2016, a new code of practice to safeguard mobile workers. Launched a refreshed International SOS brand and a first-of-its-kind travel risk map. Joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for ESG initiatives.
2018 ............................................................................................ International SOS announced joint ventures with Future Care, and with Al Rushaid in Saudi Arabia. International SOS achieved global certification to ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.
2019 ............................................................................................ International SOS provided major security support to Sri Lanka during the 2019 bomb attacks and the disastrous Cyclone Idai in Mozambique. First to announce a COVID-19 Pandemic Alert. International SOS was recognised as a TOP Employer UK 2019.
2020 ...................................................................................................................... International SOS continued to provide global support during the COVID-19 pandemic and we were named as a trusted source of information. The innovative AOK PASS was launched by ICC and International SOS for secure digital veritication of COVID-19 compliance status. Location Finder (now Auto Emergency Check-In) was launched.
2021 .............................................................................................. International SOS performed the 'World's First Multiple-Patient COVID-19 Intensive Care Evacuation’. International SOS won the 'Training Top 100 Awards' in recognition of our Learning and Development efforts and achievements.
2022 ................................................................................................. International SOS launched four global consulting practices. A Joint Venture with "Healthy Rent" in Colombia was formed. Beacon became a wholly owned subsidiary of International SOS. International SOS received the EMMA Award for Service Delivery during the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The "Great Place to Work" certification was achieved in the US.
2023 .................................................................................................................................. A partnership was formed with Koa Health to expand digital mental health solutions. International SOS received the highest ranking of the CyberVadis certification. 18 Response Centres were launched to provide remote medical support to health professionals delivering medical care on client sites. SAP Concur endorsed International SOS Workforce Resilience, the only travel risk management programme in the Duty of Care category.
2025 ............................................................................................ International SOS celebrates 40 years of saving lives. Thank you to all our employees and partners who have walked this 40-year path with us and will see us into the future.
2024 .............................................................................................................................. International SOS became the first assistance provider to get the China Data Privacy Law PIPL accreditation in China. Climate Resilience was launched, supporting our clients to protect their people in response to the health & security impacts of climate change. A strategic alliance with Factal was formed to enhance medical and security intelligence services.
RETURN TO 1985
Hotel Security Advisor (HSA) innovation was launched. International SOS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE to strengthen cooperation and partnership in providing health care services to UAE nationals abroad.
In response to the changing needs borne from the pandemic, International SOS launched its Workforce Resilience service, providing support to the total workforce: domestic and assignees. The company received its first EcoVadis certification rating.
International SOS partnered with Workplace Options to offer emotional support and wellness services. Formed a joint venture with Iqarus. Medifan, a training company for medical professionals, joins MedAire. International SOS avises clients during the escalation of Zika virus.
The International SOS Foundation was recognised with a "Best Practice Award" by the BSI for the invaluable contribution to the development of ISO 31030 - Travel Risk Management Guidance for Organizations.
We enhanced our Travel Risk Management services through a strategic alliance with Ontic. International SOS was awarded Top Employer UK Certification.
