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By adopting a future-back talent strategy – one that envisions healthcare landscape of 2030 and works backward to shape today’s workforce – Bupa is building a future-ready talent pipeline today.
This article is brought to you by Bupa Hong Kong.
At Bupa Hong Kong, the journey to becoming one of the region’s most admired employers is anchored in a powerful belief: “Our people are the heart of everything we do.” This guiding principle has shaped the company’s talent strategy and recently earned Bupa a gold award at the HR Excellence Awards in Hong Kong.
“As a caring employer, Bupa is committed to fostering an environment where our people can thrive,” says Margaret Eccleton, People Director, Bupa Hong Kong (pictured below). “This award is a testament to our dedication to employee growth and the strength of our talent programmes. It fuels our passion for continuous innovation and reinforces our connected, caring culture.”
From frontline to future leaders
To build a resilient leadership pipeline, Bupa has designed a comprehensive development journey for both frontline and back-office employees. The focus: nurturing creativity, collaboration, and a deep commitment to Bupa’s values – brave, caring, and responsible.
At the heart of this effort is the award-winning ‘People First’ programme, tailored for high-potential frontline talent. This nine-month journey includes cross-functional exposure, personalised development plans, and multi-dimensional career pathways. The programme supports both vertical and lateral growth, fostering internal mobility. Since its inception in 2018, five cohorts have completed the programme, with over half of the participants stepping into managerial roles.
Building on this success, Bupa launched ‘People First 2.0’ to further develop alumni capabilities. This next phase sharpens agility, customer-centric leadership, and integrated care delivery, ensuring frontline leaders are equipped to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape.
Inspired by the frontline programme’s impact, Bupa extended its development efforts to back-office talent. The ‘Essential Management Series’ equips first-time and team leaders with foundational people management skills, while the ‘Senior Leadership for Senior Management’ workshop prepares leaders to drive cross-functional collaboration and align with strategic priorities. To date, over 80 leaders – from senior managers to directors – have been identified in the leadership pipeline.
Future-ready talent for a changing world
To stay ahead of industry transformation, Bupa has embraced a future-back talent approach – envisioning the healthcare environment of 2030 and working backward to build the workforce of today.
Strategic partnerships, such as the School of Accounting and Finance at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, are helping to drive healthcare innovation and develop future talent. Meanwhile, the ‘Recruiting for Tomorrow’ initiative empowers hiring managers to identify candidates who not only fit the culture but also bring future-ready capabilities, ensuring every hire strengthens the organisation’s long-term vision.
Bupa also fosters innovation through internal hackathons, connecting back-office talent with global Bupa leaders. These events promote cross-functional collaboration and empower employees to co-create solutions that enhance customer experience, health outcomes, and sustainability.
Enterprise-wide engagement
Leadership engagement is central to Bupa’s talent strategy. From senior executives to line managers, leaders actively mentor and coach emerging talent, reinforcing a culture of growth and support.
Equally vital is employee feedback. Bupa’s biannual ‘People Pulse’ survey – boasting a participation rate of over 95% – provides valuable insights that drive improvements in connection, collaboration, and personal development. The results validate the impact of Bupa’s talent initiatives and affirm a workplace where employees feel heard, valued, and empowered.
With a bold vision, a caring culture, and a strategic focus on talent, Bupa is shaping a future-ready healthcare ecosystem – one where people always come first.
Photos / Bupa Hong Kong
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices – head over to our Behind the Win section!
Want to be part of the celebration next year? If you’re ready to showcase your achievements and join the ranks of our winners, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Gloria Yam to learn how you can enter the awards and stand a chance to win.
Are you a respected industry leader? We’re also inviting senior HR professionals to join our esteemed panel of judges. If you’re passionate about recognising excellence and shaping the future of the industry, contact Selina Kwok to explore judging opportunities.
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