Bupa CEO Ereño Rejects One-Hour Interviews for Six-Hour Tests

Bupa CEO Iñaki Ereño has implemented a rigorous six-hour interview process, significantly longer than the typical 45-minute duration, to better assess potential hires. This multi-stage evaluation includes extensive testing and a crucial restaurant sit-down where candidates are observed ordering wine. Ereño, who leads one of Europe's largest healthcare companies, Bupa, which generated £18.2 billion ($24.5 billion) in revenue in 2025 and operates in 190 countries with over 100,000 employees, believes that shorter interviews are insufficient for making critical hiring decisions. He stated that reducing his hiring mistakes was achieved by establishing a system based on three separate two-hour meetings.

The first meeting is a comprehensive two-hour deep dive into the candidate's curriculum vitae. The second meeting takes place at a restaurant for breakfast or lunch, serving as the primary assessment phase. During this meal, Ereño pays close attention to various aspects of the candidate's behavior, including their drink order. He expressed a preference for candidates who demonstrate initiative, stating, “I tend not to like people that don’t have any initiative.” He elaborated on this by saying, “Imagine if my drink is a glass of water. I’m very happy with someone who says, ‘Do you mind if I have a glass of wine?’” Ereño indicated that he would prefer a candidate to order wine even if he himself is drinking water, viewing this as a demonstration of confidence and proactive behavior.

Ereño further explained his rationale, noting, “I don’t like followers, ‘oh I will have a glass of water as well, I don’t want wine.’ These sorts of things are very important.” He explicitly stated that he is testing how confident a candidate is, believing that such energy distinguishes leaders. His advice for career advancement is to "Be more proactive, less passive. Take some risks, take initiatives." Ordering wine without explicit prompting from the interviewer is seen by Ereño as a clear example of bold initiative. This observational tactic is part of his broader strategy to identify individuals with leadership potential, moving beyond passive compliance to active engagement. The scale of Bupa's operations, spanning 190 countries and employing over 100,000 individuals, underscores the significant financial and operational impact of senior hiring decisions, a lesson learned through past mistakes.