Search Jobs
From Chef to Care Leader: How Guy found his purpose, and a pathway, at Bupa.
“I came to Bupa from outside the sector, and within three years, I was leading care homes. That kind of growth? It’s rare. But here, it’s possible.”
Guy’s journey didn’t start in aged care. With a background in hospitality and the defence force, he was used to leading high-pressure kitchens, managing teams of chefs, and working long hours with precision and discipline. But when COVID hit, he craved stability, and more importantly, purpose.
That’s when he found Bupa.
“I was looking for something more. I wanted to build relationships, to connect, and to feel like I was making a difference. Aged care gave me that. And Bupa gave me the chance to grow.”
Guy joined as a Chef Manager in 2021. Within months, his leadership, drive, and curiosity to learn more about the business began to shine. Instead of being boxed into his job title, he was encouraged to step outside it; supporting operations, mentoring others, and expanding into regional roles.
“The difference at Bupa is they don’t just look at your CV, they look at your potential. I wasn’t from healthcare. But they saw what I could bring, and they backed me.”
From managing kitchens, Guy progressed to Executive Chef across the Sydney region. Soon after, he was offered the opportunity to step into an Assistant General Manager role and even supported four care homes as Acting General Manager.
“At every stage, Bupa kept asking, ‘What’s next for you?’ They were ready to invest. They gave me the tools, the trust, and the support to grow; because here, if you have the passion and the work ethic, you’ll be given a path.”
That path has included hands-on mentoring from clinical leaders, exposure to every corner of the care home, and most importantly, feedback that fuels his confidence.
“When teams tell me they feel seen, heard, and supported, that’s what leadership means to me. And Bupa helps me bring that kind of leadership to life.”
What surprises Guy most is how inclusive and people-focused Bupa’s culture is, from the care home floor right up to the executive team.
“There’s no ‘us and them’ here. Everyone is working towards the same goal: creating homes filled with warmth, care and dignity. Whether it’s a cleaner, a carer or a GM, we all matter.”
And that sense of inclusion extends to opportunity. At Bupa, growth isn’t reserved for a select few, it’s built into the culture.
“Every six to twelve months, they ask the same question: ‘Are you ready for a golden opportunity?’ It’s not just a phrase; it’s a mindset. They genuinely want you to grow.”
For Guy, who now mentors his own team and encourages others to take the leap, the message is simple:
“Don’t hold back. At Bupa, your background doesn’t limit you, your potential drives you. I started as a chef. Now I help lead care homes. And I’ve never looked back.”
Join us and Be at the Heart of it
Job Alerts
Don’t see a role that’s right for you? You can sign up for our job alerts and we’ll make sure to let you know when the right one comes up.
Join Our Talent Community
Looking to shape a brighter future for everyone? Sign up to our talent community and be the first to learn about new roles.
Join Now