Bupa chief extends interviews to six hours, even judging candidates' wine orders

Iñaki Ereño, chief executive of Bupa, says standard short interviews are insufficient for senior hires, prompting him to design a six-hour assessment spread over three meetings. The first two-hour session dives deep into the résumé, while the second moves to a restaurant where Ereño watches the candidate’s beverage selection, treatment of waitstaff, body language and confidence. He interprets ordering wine as a sign of initiative, contrasting it with a passive water choice.

The third meeting, back at Bupa’s offices, probes personal motivations and expectations of the company. Ereño claims this format has reduced hiring mistakes at the multinational health insurer, which posted £18.2 billion in revenue in 2025. The article notes that other leaders, such as Twilio’s Khozema Shipchandler and Apple’s Steve Jobs, also employ atypical interview tests to gauge cultural fit and teamwork.