Inez Cooper

Managing Director & Founder

William Russell was launched from the attic of my leafy suburb home in 1992. This same attic served as the bedroom for my 6-month-old son, William, who was my steadfast companion during those formative days. It didn’t take long for me to recognise the growing demand for private healthcare among expats—leading to the business exceeding my initial expectations.

We soon extended our services to cater to expatriates in hubs like Dubai and Jakarta, where we’ve now established offices. My brother, James, joined me in this endeavor, and together, we built lasting connections with members, brokers, hospitals, and insurers worldwide. It brings me immense joy to see that many of these connections remain robust to this day.

Over the past three decades, the world has undergone remarkable transformations. In the early 1990s, the internet was on the fringes of mainstream communication, and we relied on traditional methods such as telephone, post, and fax to serve our members. Today, we conduct video calls, host live-streamed webinars, and issue policy documents digitally.

While time may seem to have flown by, certain elements have remained constant—our independence, our unwavering commitment to treating members with respect and fairness, and the enduring enthusiasm of our longstanding staff, many of whom have been with the company for years.

From our modest beginnings in that attic, we’ve expanded to have offices in Brussels, Jakarta, Dubai, and our primary headquarters just outside London. We’ve cultivated a strong partnership with our global insurance ally, Allianz, one of the world’s largest financial services groups. Additionally, my son, William, is now an integral part of the team, actively engaged in our ambitious plans for technology and digitalisation.

It is immensely heartening to witness the company’s continued success under the guidance of a new generation. Together, we remain committed to providing a dependable service to our members during their times of greatest need.