EY CEO Outlook: Business, Purpose and Healthcare with Brian Walsh, CEO of Vhi

In this episode of the EY CEO Outlook Podcast, Brian Walsh, CEO of Vhi talks with host Richard Curran about leading Vhi, combining business with purpose, and the shift toward digital and community-based healthcare.

The career path that Brian Walsh has travelled is testament to the early influence of his parents and childhood.  His mother worked in healthcare and his father in business, and Brian developed deep interest in both fields. These twin passions then converged in 2014 when Brian took a leadership role in Vhi, and today he is “really proud now to be in a role and with a business that marries both healthcare and business”. 

Being drawn to “travelling the path less travelled’, Brian’s career has spanned international roles across finance, telecommunications, and food industries, with experience in Hungary, Germany, and the United States. He became CEO of Vhi in 2021, having previously served as CFO. Keenly aware of the unique position that Vhi holds in Irish society, Brian is determined to keep the company purpose and values-led at its core, and to help its members to love longer and stronger and healthier lives. 

They also discuss:

·       Brian’s Career Journey: His early life, influence of his parents and global experience that led him to combine business and healthcare.

·       Leading with Purpose: Brian talks about the organisation being extremely purpose led and values led. How these clear values help guide decisions and manage different stakeholder needs. 

·       Changing Healthcare: How Vhi is using technology and community care to improve healthcare.

·       Reinvesting in Membership: How the company reinvests all income to benefit members and improve services

·       Brian’s views on leadership and his advice for others in management.