A quick summary:
At Heka, we’re all about empowering organisations and employees to thrive through health-led benefits that make a real difference. We know that healthier teams are more productive, and that’s why we’re dedicated to offering tools and support that prioritise health and wellbeing. Our vision is to create a world where every employee feels empowered to take care of their health and has the resources they need to succeed not just at work, but in life too. None of this would be possible without the amazing people who make it all happen. We believe in building a positive, inclusive culture where innovation and teamwork are key, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow and succeed. Our team members are much more than just employees; they’re at the heart of Heka.
We’re excited to introduce you to the incredible people who make Heka what it is. Each team member brings something special to the table, helping us make a real impact. In this blog, we’re spotlighting Amber Ellis, our Head of Sales - a true powerhouse of positivity, passion, and purpose. With her infectious energy, deep belief in Heka’s mission, and unwavering commitment to helping organisations support their people better, Amber embodies what Heka is all about. From connecting with clients to championing wellbeing on every level, she’s at the heart of helping businesses bring health-led benefits to life.
What’s your role at Heka?
I’m the Head of Sales at Heka, responsible for implementing Heka with new clients, and ensuring that HR teams finally have a cost efficient way to support every employee as an individual.
What excites you most about your role?
This is a tough question for me as there’s so many things! Firstly, I’m happy every day that I work at Heka. In sales it’s so important to wholly believe in what you sell, and 2+ years in - I’m still obsessed with Heka. I also love that I get to speak and connect with new people on a daily basis! However, what really excites me, is how excited people are when they get the green light for implementing Heka and we can crack on with next steps. It’s truly a game changing benefit.
What’s the biggest challenge?
I’d say it’s when HR Teams get roadblocked by other stakeholders, especially when they really want to introduce Heka. I’m a huge empath, so I always feel gutted & frustrated for them. However for me personally, my biggest challenge is that I’m a perfectionist, and I struggle to switch off if I’ve not ticked off everything on my daily to-do list. That’s why being proactive with my own wellbeing is super important to me!
Where do you see the future of employee wellbeing?
Big question. The future of employee wellbeing has to be flexible. When you take a step back and just think about yourself as an individual - you’ll know that your health, wellbeing and circumstances don’t stay the same 365 days of the year. It’s fluid. Things happen, things change, you have highs & lows, and the traditional way of employee wellbeing / benefits being rigid & one-size-fits-all, just doesn't resonate with being human (& this is why there’s a huge issue with benefits engagement). The future of employee wellbeing needs to be flexible, so people can choose the exact support they need, instantly. Not to mention, it needs to focus on proactive and preventative health - not just for when something goes wrong.
What is your favourite Heka benefit?
This is a mean question haha - borderline impossible to choose just one when there are so many! I think going back to my previous question, I have different favourites depending on what I’m going through / how I’m feeling! So I’m going to cheat and choose 2 different areas! 1. Sleep - I used to really struggle with sleeping, and using Heka for a free sleep health assessment, and even things as simple as sleep sprays & supplements, has helped me so much. 2. Health Assessments - I’ve used Heka for fertility testing, food intolerance testing, stress cortisol test kit, and most recently following some family news my partner and I did a full body health MOT with BlueCrest for peace of mind.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
So… I’m clearly a millennial through and through. You know that current viral joke about Millennials who haven’t read in years, but are now voracious readers again - but only for Romantasy books… that’s me! So far this year I’ve read 46 books! So, the perfect weekend for me would be long scenic walks with my dog Rue, followed by a cuppa / lunch out, and then getting home & curling up on the sofa with a blanket & my book. Seriously though, I love how much I love reading again. I barely watch TV now, and being able to immerse myself in different worlds is my perfect way of switching off and relaxing!
Do you have any interesting facts about yourself?
I’ve always been incredibly passionate about mental health and wellbeing. I did a Masters in Performance Art which I solely focused all my performance & written work around how art can transcend words, and transform pain into connection while breaking down exterior stigmas. My favourite artists are VestAndPage, and I had the incredible opportunity to go to Venice for an intense 10 day workshop as part of Venice Performance Art week - led by them. I spent 10 days with people from all around the world, and each day with different workshops taught me so much about human connection, and I still think of it regularly 7 years later. To throw in another fact, I also worked with VestAndPage on a piece of written work following an interview I did with them for my thesis, which ended up being published in a Brazilian academic journal!
