‘What do you want to do for the next 40 years, Richard?” Barely out of my teens, that’s how my parents’ generation viewed working life: four decades of toil before hanging up your boots at 60. Not me: about to celebrate my 60th birthday, I am fortunate to be 20 months into the next stage of my career. I began creating businesses, then went on to run and grow them. Now, as a chairman and investor, I’m helping others achieve their dreams. I’ve got as much energy today as ever — and no thoughts of retirement.

Back then, I wish I’d had someone to explain that career longevity has as much to do with health as it does perseverance, at every level of an organisation. We’re all juggling stressful responsibilities that require superhuman levels of stamina and resilience — physically, mentally and emotionally — and growth, both personal and corporate, is dependent on staying healthy. Health is wealth and it’s the responsibility of business to take a lead.

It was fascinating reading a recent suggestion from Alan Milburn, a former Labour health secretary, for putting Britain on a growth path: get the long-term sick into work.

If we can achieve that, society will benefit. The happier and healthier people are, the more engaged they will be. They will collaborate more effectively and morale will be higher, leading to more productive, faster-growing businesses. One of the great achievements of the HomeServe team has been to put in place measures (many listed here) that, this year, enabled it to be ranked as one of the top 50 workplaces in Britain for employee wellbeing.

So this summer, plan how you can transform both your own health and the way in which your company looks after the health of all its employees. First, exercise. There’s a reason why so many chief executives and chairmen, including me, get up at 6am to visit the gym or go for a jog. It’s vital to wellbeing. Even a daily half-hour walk will suffice — it boosts memory and cognitive function, and reduces stress. Get a gym buddy if you lack motivation (my sports-mad kids are always dragging me off the sofa) or form a small group at work to spur each other on.

As white-collar managers, we are sitting down too much, switching between endless virtual calls without moving. If you’re still doing some work from home, I recommend getting a stand-up desk. You may have hated commuting but at least it kept you fitter, as did walking round the office and racing out to grab lunch. With more exercise, you will sleep better too (I used to think five or six hours was ok enough but now aim for up to seven and a half), which means you will be sharper and more energised during the day.

Next most important is nutrition — or, in my case, a perpetual struggle against inevitable temptations, which I don’t always win. With so many business lunches and dinners, it’s not easy to say no to alcohol, so I keep my intake down to four times a week. My aim is to get it down to three, and order kombucha (ginger or citrus hops) instead. That’s the ambition anyway!

I have gradually got into a routine of healthier eating and no processed foods, though still can’t kick my crispy bacon vice. Breakfasts are porridge and blueberries with a weekend treat of poached eggs and avocado on brown toast, alongside vegetable juices like celery or beetroot, mixed with ginger. Lunches are salads, with either chicken or salmon: I eat red meat only once a week.

Then, ensure that your corporate culture places a premium on wellness. Foster a sense of togetherness from the top down to banish feelings of loneliness and raise confidence levels. If possible, provide access to a mentor, coach or a member of their peer group. Everyone needs guidance, not just chief executives. Checkatrade, of which I’m chairman, provides staff with gym membership, fully funded mental health counselling sessions, health insurance for the whole family, and a cash-back scheme for medical-related expenses.

One company I invest in, Passenger Clothing, allows employees to work anywhere in the world for up to 12 weeks a year. It also has frequent get-togethers where hotel and travel costs are paid for, and encourages everyone to get involved in volunteering activities. Such policies truly empower staff.

Data can also help us become healthier. This isn’t just about wearables, though I love checking my Coros watch for numbers of daily steps and sleep patterns. Measuring sick days is a good barometer of a business, and that’s why I’ve been learning all about “Medicine 3.0”, which focuses on preventative steps to maximise health. So be more proactive in getting health checks and, the older you are, don’t shy away from more invasive ones. We think nothing of paying to have boilers and cars serviced annually, so why not our wellbeing too? It’s far better to find a health issue early in a comprehensive check-up than rely on treatment when it could be too late.

When you’re running a company, it’s seven days a week, with irregular hours and interrupted holidays. You’re being pulled in multiple and unpredictable directions, relied upon to make fast decisions. It’s an absolute privilege but it’s also absolutely brutal on your body, mind, emotions and relationships.

If any of this resonates with you, I’d highly recommend some further holiday reading — in particular, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Dr Peter Attia, which focuses on the preventative steps we can all take to stay healthier for longer. Or listen to the Just One Thing podcasts from the much-missed Dr Michael Mosley — simple healthcare tips that will change your life so that when you get back from some summer indulgence, you are prepared to put the health of your teams top of the agenda.

Then, watch the business grow, rather than waistlines.

Richard Harpin is founder and chairman of HomeServe and Growth Partner, and owner of Business Leader magazine