As demand for workplace wellbeing grows, Luke identified a recurring issue: many organisations lacked a clear, embedded wellbeing strategy.
Key takeaways
Organisation:
UR Wellbeing
Industry:
Corporate workplace wellbeing / health and fitness services
Course:
IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing
The organisation
UR Wellbeing is a growing corporate workplace wellbeing provider delivering services across the UK. The business partners with organisations to design and activate workplace wellness spaces, particularly in large office environments where employees spend much of their day at desks.
The company transforms underused areas into active wellbeing spaces, helping employees move more during the working day. Alongside facility design, UR Wellbeing provides musculoskeletal (MSK) support, health MOTs, point-of-care testing, wellbeing workshops and personalised fitness programmes.
As Wellbeing Manager, Luke Podmore plays a central role in delivering these services. With a background in education and health, he combines practical experience with a strong understanding of behaviour change. Increasingly, his focus has expanded beyond physical activity to supporting the wider occupational health and wellbeing strategy within client organisations.
The challenge
As demand for workplace wellbeing grows, Luke identified a recurring issue: many organisations lacked a clear, embedded wellbeing strategy.Responsibility often sat loosely within HR, centred on compliance or isolated initiatives such as EAPs or Mental Health First Aid.While valuable, these measures were frequently siloed or reactive rather than part of a coherent, long-term plan.As an external provider, Luke also needed to build trust and credibility with senior leaders.To create meaningful impact, he recognised the importance of strengthening his understanding of the strategic and legislative aspects of occupational health and wellbeing.He wanted greater confidence in conversations with HR and executives, and the ability to help organisations move beyond standalone benefits towards a visible, working strategy.
"Wellbeing’s been quite siloed… it’s never really sat perfectly with one department.The word ‘strategy’ is very woolly.Nobody really knows where it lives.You see job adverts shouting about EAPs and birthday days off… but it should be deeper than that. "
Luke Podmore, Wellbeing Manager, UR Wellbeing
The solution
Luke completed the IOSH Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing course via eLearning, balancing study with client commitments.
The structured modules built his knowledge around strategy, documentation and organisational responsibility. Coming from a fitness-focused background, he valued the accessible introduction to the strategic dimensions of occupational health.
The course reinforced the importance of a living wellbeing strategy – one that defines commitments, clarifies responsibility and evolves over time. It highlighted that wellbeing must be integrated into wider business objectives rather than treated as a peripheral initiative.
The impact
Since completing the course, Luke feels more confident engaging senior stakeholders in strategic discussions.He is better equipped to challenge assumptions and support organisations in reviewing whether their current approaches are fit for purpose.The qualification has strengthened UR Wellbeing’s credibility, positioning the business as a strategic partner rather than solely a service provider.
"The course has given me more confidence to suggest things.I just feel more confident sitting with HR and having those conversations – it allows you to break down that barrier.It’s confirmed what I thought was important… and made it stick. "
Luke Podmore, Wellbeing Manager, UR Wellbeing
The results
The course reinforced UR Wellbeing’s ambition to lead with a modern, integrated approach to workplace wellbeing. By combining practical services with strategic insight, the business is better placed to help organisations create environments where employees can thrive and feel genuinely supported.
"Eye-opening and confidence-building.It confirmed we’re investing our energy in the right areas – and pushed me to go even further. "
Luke Podmore, Wellbeing Manager, UR Wellbeing