Celebrating 25 Years: A Conversation with Philippe Coune, Partner

Philippe Coune, Partner at Executive Insight

Executive Insight as the place to be

Philippe joined Executive Insight in 2013, bringing with him a strong scientific background and a passion for Market Access. Over the past 13 years, he’s become one of the company’s leading voices in Market Access.

Philippe didn’t initially envision a leadership role. But as he began mentoring others and building capabilities, he realized the importance of the opportunity to have say in the company he was helping to shape. He didn’t care about management ambition; for him, it was about contributing meaningfully to a place where he spent much of his time and energy. Philippe sees it through the analogy of farming:

Like a farmer who works the land, sees it grow, and takes care of it and its outcomes.

What drew Philippe to Executive Insight wasn’t just the work – it was the culture.

“It’s not the typical consulting mindset,” he explains. “The way we interact with each other is less transactional. It still can be stressful, but not in a destructive way.”

A different kind of consulting

“We’d take new projects to learn something new. It wasn’t always efficient, but it was adventurous – and that mindset helped us grow.”

This adventurous spirit has helped to develop and formalize capabilities, knowledge and expertise across the teams to stay ahead of industry shifts.

Coming from another company focused on Market Access, Philippe found ExIn refreshingly different

The power of curiosity

Philippe believes that curiosity is what sets Executive Insight apart. “We try new things, and if something works, we build on it. That’s how we’ve grown: not by copying and pasting, but by evolving with our clients.”

This approach has led to long-term relationships and deep trust, both with team members as well as with clients.

“We have open conversations about what clients really need. That’s what makes it rewarding.”

ExIn’s high client project resell and retention rates are a testament to this.

Philippe’s passion for Market Access stems from its unique position at the intersection of science, commercial strategy, and healthcare systems.

It’s where medical value meets real-world constraints, and where meaningful decisions about patient access are made.

Market access: where science meets reality

Philippe is fascinated by how systems work – from reimbursement models to payer interviews – and sees Market Access as a function that won’t lose relevance anytime soon.

“It’s what allows people to actually receive treatment. That’s powerful.”

Market Access is one of the key functions

A culture that grows people

Philippe sees Executive Insight as more than a workplace: it’s a place where people grow.

So many of us have been raised professionally here. You can remove the office, but the essence stays. It’s intrinsic to the people.

For Philippe, this simple truth captures the true spirit of Executive Insight – a company built not just on strategy, but on people, purpose, and a spirit of exploration.

He recalls the early days in the original office, what looked like a flat with apartment doors and kitchen tables. “We were around 15 people and weren’t wearing suits. It didn’t look like a consulting firm, but the vibe was there.” That vibe continues today, even as the company expands.

During our team event in Lisbon in 2017, we talked about what it would be like with 50 employees. Now we’re more than 70 people across 3 offices and it still feels like the same place.

Philippe sees Market Access as more relevant than ever. As healthcare systems face increasing pressure to balance innovation with affordability, the role of access professionals will continue to grow.

He’s also observing a global shift toward multi-tier healthcare systems – a trend that could reshape how treatments are delivered and reimbursed, even in mature markets.

Looking ahead: adapting with integrity

Philippe is confident in Executive Insight’s ability to adapt.

“We’ve always been client-centric. As long as we stay focused on supporting our clients and building critical thinking, we’ll continue to thrive."

We've always been client-centric, and we will continue to thrive.

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