Today we are announcing that Alex Cole, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, is leaving Bupa in July to pursue a new leadership challenge. She will continue as Chair of the Bupa Foundation in the UK. From 1 May, Nigel Sullivan becomes Chief Sustainability and People Officer and Rupert Gowrley is appointed Corporate Affairs Director.
Iñaki Ereño, Group CEO said: “Alex has achieved a great deal in her seven years at Bupa. Her reputation management expertise has been instrumental on a wide range of matters, especially through the pandemic. Alex led the installation of the Net Promoter System across Bupa and increased our focus on mental health and wellbeing. She strengthened our approach to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, particularly our community impact so I am delighted that she will continue as Chair of the Bupa UK Foundation. Alex is a great colleague and friend. We wish her all the very best for the future.
“Nigel’s commitment to Sustainability is clear. He has been the co-sponsor of Bupa’s Environment and Climate Action programme since late 2019, and his interest goes right back to his time at university where he graduated in environmental science. Sustainability occupies a big place in our purpose and strategy and every one of us has a role to play in making a better world.
I know Rupert will do a great job leading the Brand and Corporate Affairs agenda for Bupa. He’s a very trusted and committed colleague, passionate about the value of reputation, brand strength and relevance, and purpose-led communications.”
Notes to editor
- Nigel Sullivan: Nigel was appointed as Bupa’s Chief People Officer in June 2017. Before joining Bupa, he was Human Resources Director for TalkTalk and HR Director for Sales and Marketing worldwide for Rover Group. He has also worked in Human Resources at Nortel Networks, Marconi and the logistics group Wincanton plc.
- Alex Cole: Alex joined Bupa in 2014 as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. She previously held senior positions at J Sainsbury plc and Cadbury plc, and in consultancy.
- Rupert Gowrley: Rupert joined Bupa in 2014 as the Director of Government Affairs and Sustainability after working in communications and reputation consultancies advising global companies in healthcare and other sectors. He became Corporate Affairs Director for Bupa UK in 2016 and its Strategy Director in 2018. He has been Group External Relations Director since January 2019.
About Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
We are an international healthcare company serving over 31 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest profits into providing more and better healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.
We directly employ around 85,000 people, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, Chile, Poland, New Zealand, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, the US, Middle East and Ireland. We also have associate businesses in Saudi Arabia and India.
