25 years of Healix Health: In conversation with CEO Ian Talbot

In a milestone year for the business, CEO Ian Talbot reflects on his personal journey, the evolution of Healix Health, the values driving our success, and the vision behind our refreshed identity: This is healthcare, unlocked. 

Here, Ian speaks candidly about culture, growth, innovation and the future of employee healthcare – and why he believes the next chapter will be the most exciting yet.  

Looking back: A journey shaped by people and purpose

What was your journey before Healix Health? Tell me about life before joining. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by people: why they behave the way they do, how they make decisions, what they value. That started very early for me, even when I was working in retail. I absolutely loved the days the manager was off, and I’d run the shop. Those were the moments I realised how much I enjoyed leading teams and shaping experiences. That curiosity about people has carried right through my career. 

From retail I moved into healthcare – first at MediSure, then eight years at National Friendly, and then into consultancy. All that experience has shaped how I lead today.” 

What has your personal journey in Healix Health been? 

“When I stepped into Healix full-time, I started as General Manager for five months before becoming CEO in July 2021. The last four years, since becoming CEO, have genuinely been the most transformative.” 

From the very beginning, what drew me to Healix Health was the culture. I could see straight away that this was a business where people were encouraged to be the best they can be. That mattered to me. I saw a company that genuinely cared, not just about delivering healthcare solutions, but about make a meaningful impact in the corporate private medical benefit market.  

Before joining properly, I’d already worked with Healix as one of my main consultancy clients, helping scale-ups and established businesses find their spark again. So, stepping in felt like a continuation of a relationship I already valued deeply.”  

What’s been the biggest change you’ve seen in the business during your time here? 

“The biggest change has been our shift in identity. When I joined, we were often seen as a challenger in the market. Over the last four years, we’ve grown from around 50 clients and 50 staff to over 100 clients and close to 170 employees.  

With that growth, we’ve matured into a recognised alternative, a business with a clear point of view and a real confidence in what we offer. And we’ve done it while staying true to the values we put in place when I became CEO: being Genuine, Bold, Passionate, Respectful, Considered and Clear.” 

What have been the secrets to Healix’s longevity and success - and what does the 25th anniversary mean to you and the business? 

“For me, the secret to Healix’s longevity is that clinical expertise has always sat at the heart of the business. That was Peter’s (co-founder) vision from day one, and it’s something we’ve never drifted from. We’ve stayed focused on doing the right thing, the thing that genuinely benefits the people we look after, rather than simply following industry norms. That authenticity builds trust, and once you’ve earned that trust, it carries you a long way. 

Reaching our 25th anniversary is a huge milestone. Personally, it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, especially over the last four years. For the business, it’s proof that remaining true to your values and your purpose really does pay off. Above all, it’s a celebration of our people – their hard work, their passion and their belief in what we’re building. That’s what has carried us to 25 years.” 

What makes Healix Health different

In such a competitive landscape, how do we set ourselves apart? 

“We set ourselves apart by staying true to who we are. There are lots of organisations in this sector, but very few with the combination of clinical expertise, independence and genuine care that Healix offers. 

The way we work with clients is different – more collaborative, transparent and more aligned to their people strategies. That’s not just a process; it’s part of our DNA.” 

What makes us stand out in the market, and what’s helped us maintain trust in such a crowded space? 

“We’re the leading independent healthcare trust provider in the UK and that independence really matters. It gives us the freedom to build solutions around clients rather than products, which is a fundamentally different approach from many in the market. 

But the real difference is our authenticity. We care deeply about our clients and about the people their healthcare covers. That sincerity is felt in every interaction, and it can’t be imitated. 

What’s kept us trusted over 25 years is consistency. We deliver on our promises. We build strong, long-lasting relationships. And we never compromise on the quality of our clinical approach. Trust isn’t something you claim, it’s something you earn, and we’ve earned it over time.” 

Looking ahead: Unlocking the next chapter

To mark our 25th birthday, we’ve developed our new messaging – This is healthcare, unlocked. How does this reflect where we’re heading? 

“This is healthcare, unlocked captures exactly where we want to take the business. It’s about breaking down barriers and giving organisations more clarity, more control and more confidence over their healthcare investment.  

It also speaks to corporate leaders and HR teams who want to do things differently, who want transparency, flexibility and a partner who genuinely understands their workforce and their business” 

What’s your vision for Healix Health’s next phase? How will we shape the future and continue breaking the mould? 

“My vision is one of continued growth and innovation but always grounded in the values that define us. I want us to stay at the forefront of the industry, evolving with our clients’ needs and leading the way in how corporate healthcare is delivered. 

Happy to include – new people/growing our team, IT investment? Etc.” 

How is Healix shaping the future of employee healthcare and wellbeing? 

“My vision is one of continued growth and innovation — but always grounded in the values that define us. I want us to stay at the forefront of the industry, evolving with our clients’ needs and leading the way in how corporate healthcare is delivered. 

We’ll continue shaping the future by refusing to accept ‘how things have always been done’. We challenge assumptions, we build around real people’s needs, and we empower businesses to take ownership of their employee healthcare. 

And we’ll keep breaking the mould by staying passionate about our mission, considered in our approach and clear in our goals. Innovation for us isn’t about being loud - it’s about being thoughtful, brave and always focused on real impact. 

We’re also investing in our people and our technology, including strengthening our teams and advancing our IT capabilities, to make sure we deliver an even better experience for clients and members.” 

If you could sum up the next chapter of Healix in three words, what would they be? 

“Innovative, compassionate, resilient.” 

Any final thoughts? 

 “When a company wants to take a different approach to delivering real value for their employees’ health, I want them to think: it’s time we spoke with Healix Health.” 

As we look ahead to the next 25 years, we’re inviting clients, partners and HR leaders to join us on the journey. Whether you’re rethinking how your organisation supports its people, exploring the benefits of healthcare trusts or simply curious about doing things differently, we’d love to talk. 

Follow Healix Health on LinkedIn to stay updated with our latest thinking and get in touch if you’d like to explore how we can help you build a more effective, people-centred approach to employee healthcare.