Ian has worked for more than 13 years in the healthcare market, including senior roles for some of the biggest insurers. He started out with Aviva Health, (Norwich Union at the time), then worked for seven years with leading international private medical insurer, Bupa Global, in senior sales roles across the Corporate, SME and Individual business channels.
Ian left Bupa as Head of UK Intermediary Distribution, having assumed responsibility for a range of duties including strategic broker management, proposition development and responsibility for UK revenue delivery.
He is International Director at Engage Health Group.
Areas of Expertise:
International Medical Insurance & Private Health Insurance
What advice would you give to businesses seeking out employee benefits and health coverage?
Any businesses or individuals out there considering international medical insurance, be aware it is one of the most complex products in the health and protection market due to the number of insurers, their different terms and conditions and added value services.
Check with ‘The Association of Medical Insurer and Intermediaries (AMII)’ register to ensure your dealing with a true protection expert who knows the market well and any clauses.
Do you have any favourite instances where you’ve helped customers out?
We have worked with clients where we have been able to build and execute plans which have delivered tens of thousands in annual savings, involving pulling together a mix of both international and domestic benefits solutions, across multiple countries and partners, and that is work that we are very proud of.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Most of the time the work we do is focussed on strategy and finance, however looking after the wellbeing of our clients and their employees is at the core of what we do and we have had to get involved in supporting a few emergency medical evacuations from areas of the world with less access to quality medical care. That part of the support we offer is always the most stressful, but also by far the most rewarding.
What’s your favourite workplace perk?
The flexibility. I have young kids so juggling all the responsibilities of both them and the business can be tough, but being able to flex working hours makes a massive difference. I have that as a core principle for my team too, a lot of whom also have kids, so they all know that if they are struggling with something then they can come to me and we will be able to figure out a way to make it work.
Any hobbies?
A long-suffering Ipswich Town FC fan, when it comes to football, although I enjoy following international cricket and rugby as well. I try and play badminton regularly and play in our local Sussex league. I’m a pretty big geek when it comes to both history and most things science. To give you an idea, I once forced eight friends to gate-crash a university tour of CERN on our way to a ski trip in the south of France. Most of them haven’t forgiven me for that, but I’d definitely recommend it!
Favourite band/artist?
The 90’s kid in me must have Oasis in there. Although, I probably listen to way more dance – Chase & Status are still hard to beat. And maybe old school Kanye, before he lost the plot!
Any guilty pleasures music wise?
I have a passionate dislike for most 80’s music, which as far as I can tell was an entire decade of guilty pleasures, so that rules out a lot of them. Do Christmas songs count? If so, then that would be it.
Favourite film?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. Probably Pulp Fiction, I guess it’s the one I’ve gone back to re-watch the most!
Any guilty pleasures?
Ghostbusters… Still a classic!