Company that employs more than 600 people in Kilkenny celebrates huge milestone

Vhi is today celebrating 25 years of operations at its Kilkenny Business Centre.

This marks a major milestone in the company’s growth and the vital role played by the Vhi Kilkenny team, who support Vhi members.

Vhi has over 1.2 million health insurance members, and 500,000 members across the company’s suite of diversified insurance offerings including travel, dental and life.

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Vhi’s purpose is to help its members live longer, stronger, healthier lives, and the Kilkenny team play a key role in delivering on this purpose.

From opening in the year 2000 with just 60 employees, the Vhi Kilkenny operations have grown into a key business hub for the organisation, providing a vital link between members and their care, delivering expert guidance, reassurance, and tailored support at every stage of the healthcare journey.

Today, over 600 people work at the Kilkenny Business Centre, with over half working in customer care.

In 2024 alone, the award-winning customer care team in Kilkenny engaged with Vhi members on over 1.2 million calls, supporting members so they can connect with the right care at the right time.

The Business Centre in Kilkenny is also a trusted hub for Vhi’s Claims Management Department.

In 2024, Vhi paid over one million claims directly to members in addition to claims paid to healthcare partners and providers, amounting to total claims paid of €1.74 billion to meet their member healthcare needs.

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Vhi Kilkenny is part of the organisation’s wider national network of 2,000 employees across Kilkenny, Dublin, Limerick, Galway, Cork, and Donegal, including over 400 clinical professionals within Vhi Health & Wellbeing.

The growth of the Kilkenny Business Centre over the past 25 years, reflects Vhi’s evolution from a health insurance provider to an integrated healthcare company focused on supporting Vhi’s members’ health and wellbeing.

With a stronger emphasis on prevention and early intervention, Vhi has delivered over 500,000 healthcare interactions within the past year through its health and wellbeing services.

To mark the 25th anniversary of its presence in Kilkenny, Vhi brought together business and community leaders for a special business breakfast at its Kilkenny Business Centre.

Among the speakers were Anna Barber, President of Kilkenny Chamber; Therese Bourke, Head of Customer Care at Vhi; Amy Burke, Vhi Group People and Sustainability Officer, former Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody and Brian Walsh, Vhi Group CEO.

Reflecting on the anniversary, Brian Walsh, Vhi Group CEO said the company "is proud to recognise and celebrate Vhi’s presence in Kilkenny and the strong roots we have built within the community."

"The team at Vhi Kilkenny deliver daily for our members and they show what is possible when purpose, performance and people come together," he added.

"As our operations have grown in Kilkenny so has our footprint in the community. We are backing incredible local initiatives – from Aiséiri’s addiction treatment programme for young people through our Health & Wellbeing fund, to our partnerships with SOS Kilkenny and WeCan Kilkenny.

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"Through our national partnership with parkrun, we are supporting two parkrun events in Kilkenny, and we are proud sponsors of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce Awards acknowledging and celebrating the vital role businesses play in driving the local economy and supporting the community. As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep innovating, supporting our members, and growing deeper roots within the community."

In joining Vhi to mark the 25th anniversary of Vhi Kilkenny, Anne Barber, President of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce, said that Vhi "has been a key part of Kilkenny’s business and community landscape for 25 years, delivering jobs and supporting people across Ireland to live healthier lives."

"This anniversary reflects the positive impact made by the Vhi team here in Kilkenny and the strength of talent that is available in the South-East," she said.

"As Vhi continues to evolve, I look forward to seeing the next chapter in their journey unfold and how the team in Kilkenny can support the local community and economy in the years to come."

Therese Bourke, Head of Customer Service at Vhi, joined the company in Kilkenny on the very first day, and stated that "today is a very special occasion as we consider the growth, partnership and deep community connection we’ve built here."

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"From a team of just 60, we’ve grown into a powerhouse of over 600 colleagues, making us the third-largest private employer in the region," she said.

"The Kilkenny team is at the front line of how we deliver on our purpose every day. By prioritising collaboration, a positive culture, learning and improvement they continually deliver a better customer experience. Their work is essential to how we deliver on our promise of connected and trusted care."

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