From call centre to Legal Director: Janina’s journey through curiosity, courage and culture at Bupa 

When Janina started working in Bupa’s call centre back in 2003, it was simply a part-time university job. Today, she’s Bupa’s Legal Director for Privacy, Data and Regulatory, a role she jokingly describes as the organisation’s “resident privacy nerd.” 

Over 22 years, Janina’s path has been anything but linear. And that’s exactly the point. 

“At Bupa, there’s space to forge your own path. Growth doesn’t have to be straight up; it can be sideways, diagonal, exploratory. You just must be willing to look at the bigger picture.”

A non-linear career built on breadth 

Janina’s early curiosity about complex customer issues led her from the call centre to a small customer relations team, while she was finishing an arts degree focused on film studies, literature and philosophy. But she eventually found herself circling back to law, completing her degree and bringing a rich breadth of experience with her. 

Her leap into legal wasn’t through the typical graduate clerkship route. Instead, Bupa saw her potential and created a graduate opportunity for her in-house. 

“It was very hands-on. From day one, I was working with clients and applying what I knew about the business. That kind of experience is rare, and so valuable.” 

From there, Janina continued to step into opportunities that allowed her to grow, often by combining her deep knowledge of Bupa’s inner workings with her legal training. That balance of agility and expertise has been key to her success. 

Kindness, courage, and culture 

Ask Janina why she’s stayed at Bupa for so long, and the answer is simple: the people and the culture. 

“It’s a kind place. You can be yourself here. You don’t have to hang your personality at the door.”  

But that kindness doesn’t come at the expense of ambition. In fact, she says, Bupa is growing into a bolder, braver version of itself, one that supports its people to challenge the status quo and aim high 

“We’re learning how to live out that ambition within the culture. Being brave isn’t just about crisis moments; it’s about pushing boundaries and rethinking how things are done.” 

That kind of culture has empowered Janina to not only shape her own career but to encourage her team to do the same. Whether it’s rethinking processes or embracing change, she values the freedom to innovate. 

Advice for early career starters: Be bold, be open 

Reflecting on her early days, Janina has two main pieces of advice. 

Lean into the unknown. 

“You might have an idea of what your path should be. But sometimes the best opportunities are the ones that don’t look like part of the plan. Be willing to deviate—you might end up somewhere even better.” 

Ditch the script. 

Janina recalls a pivotal moment early in her legal career when she received feedback about being too quiet in meetings. 

“I used to over-prepare, thinking I had to have all the answers. But a mentor told me: ‘I didn’t hire you to recite the law. I hired you for your creativity.’ If you go in with a script, you’re not listening; you’re just waiting for your turn to speak. And that applies to careers too. If you’re too fixed on one goal, you might miss something amazing.” 

Why Bupa? 

Janina says she’s still learning every day. “It’s a big, complex, fascinating place. And it’s not just about doing business, it’s about purpose. We reinvest profits back into health outcomes. That’s a powerful reason to stay.” 

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