Insight

Executive Wellbeing Index

In 2020 Opinium partnered with Bupa Global to launch its Executive Wellbeing Index, the first report of its kind to look at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global business leaders and wealth creators who will shape the post-COVID world.

The research, commissioned among almost 2,000 high net worth individuals (HNWIs) and senior executives based across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, in seven key regions, highlights the extensive physical, emotional and economic fallout the pandemic has brought about.

And importantly, it examines how this unprecedented event will bring about changes that will shape the future of business, how we balance work and home life, and attitudes to wellbeing and mental health.

Key findings from the Index include:

  • The mental health toll of the pandemic on HNWIs around the world has been high. Seven in 10 experienced poor mental health during this time – rising to eight in 10 business leaders. And for many, this was a new experience. But nearly a third of HNWIs delayed seeking help due to the pandemic – rising to 40% at boardroom level
  • In the wake of this, the vast majority of HNWIs and heads of business will be initiating shifts to recalibrate work-life balance, enable greater focus on overall wellbeing, and prevent health issues in the future for themselves and those they work with
  • Over half of board-level executives are planning not to return to the same fast pace of life and nearly a third will continue to work mostly from home, some even working permanently from their holiday homes. Others plan to manage down their hours (24%), spend more time with family and friends (36%), as well as cut down on travel, both for personal and environmental reasons
  • Six in 10 global executives also shared that their attitudes towards their local public and private healthcare systems have improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven in 10 are planning to purchase private medical insurance in the next 12 months, expecting greater emphasis on preventative care (including maintenance of good mental health) as well as supporting mental ill-health.

Read the full report here: