Uckfield man, Dan Wade says that looking after his customers has been the key to his success. Dan, 24, is a partner with Healthcare Practice, a not for profit medical insurer, providing policies to small and medium-sized companies around Crawley and Gatwick. In January 2012 he was named Healthcare Practice Partner of the Year and became the youngest-ever member of the award winning company's regional board of directors.
"My success is largely down to my focus on customers and links with the local community," says Dan, who has been a Healthcare Practice partner since September 2009.
Investing in the Healthcare Practice meant setting up in business for himself with the support of WPA. Now he provides medical cover for over 1,000 local business people, ranging from self-employed sole traders to companies of all sizes including a number of large employers.
"Employees cannot afford to wait for hospital appointments, so I can arrange for them to get treatment or hospital stays to suit the needs of the business. They all have my contact details so that they can call me whenever they have a question – my job is to put their minds at rest” says Dan.
He quotes the case of a local motor mechanic who needed a hip replacement. "He faced a long wait for NHS treatment but Healthcare Practice was able to arrange it at his convenience, so he was in and out of hospital within two weeks. Healthcare Practice helped him take control of his recovery," says Dan.
At another local company, a Director needed hospital treatment, but the company was particularly busy in the run-up to Christmas. "We helped him arrange his treatment in January, when the business could run without him," says Dan.
Meeting the local business community is one of Dan's major enthusiasms. "I visit all my customers two or three times a year to check and improve what Healthcare Practice are doing for them. Exceeding our customers expectations is what marks Healthcare Practice out from the crowd – our DNA is to treat others as we would expect to be treated ourselves.”
Dan continues, “I also help my corporate customers by running seminars to explain what employees are entitled to. This saves the employer time and means staff appreciate their employer more."
A keen networker, Dan frequently starts his day with a business breakfast meeting and spends his evenings at less-formal business gatherings. He also communicates on Twitter and the online business network LinkedIn, where he posts updates about new developments in medical insurance.
He is also a keen campaigner. "As part of the Crawley and Gatwick Diamond Business Association, I am lobbying for improvements to Gatwick Airport station," says Dan, who is also a keen sportsman, playing wing or full back for Lewes Rugby Club, and cricket for Ringmer.
As a corporate member of Sussex Cricket Club he organised a charity lunch last year where the speaker was Jason Leonard, England's most-capped player. The event raised £2,500 for the Wooden Spoon charity, providing funds for local projects such as improvements to Chailey Heritage School. "It is important to put something back into the community so I hope to run a similar event later this year," says Dan.
"With help and support from Healthcare Practice my work has become my passion, bringing the best quality healthcare to my customers, all of whom have become friends."
Alex Budd, a WPA Healthcare Partner, talks about the transition he made just under three years ago
Mark Tomlinson joined WPA Healthcare Practice in September 2010 as a franchisee in the South West.
Simon Marks came from the banking sector and took over a well-established portfolio of customers in Northern Ireland in November 2012.
For Matt Trapnell Healthcare Practice has led to a fulfilling second career.
Meet, David O'Toole, a member of the Healthcare Practice Partner Team.
Lynda Buntin started her Healthcare Practice Franchise in Northamptonshire in May 2009.
For Rachel Dumont-Baber being a Healthcare Practice Partner allows her the perfect work-life balance.
Gavin Flaxman joined Healthcare Practice as a Partner in 2013 and is based in central Surrey.
Seven years ago Phil Arnold became his own boss as a Healthcare Practice Partner.
Lynda Buntin was recently named as Healthcare Practice Partner of the Year and talks about her business in Northampton and Peterborough.
"TheHealthcare Practice opportunity attracted me. I had no medical or sales background but I knew I was good with people and felt I could provide advice."
Discover what your life could be like as a Healthcare Practice partner through Uel Campbell.
When Robert Westhorp set off for The British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester five years ago, he had no idea that he would meet a former supplier and eventually join the company.
"There’s far more to being a partner with Healthcare Practice than selling insurance policies", find out from Healthcare Practice partner Lorna Smith.
The Healthcare Practice is unique… I’ve never worked with a company that look after you so well. Joining them was the best decision I have made in my life, hand on heart.Bob Grace - Healthcare Partner since 1999
My advice for anyone looking to become a Healthcare Partner is just do it! If there is a practice available near you then absolutely go for it. The training, the support, the help, the advice - it’s been the best decision that I’ve made.Ross Le Jeune - Healthcare Partner since 2016
Attending an Open Day and seeing the slick and technologically advanced operation behind the scene convinced me I was making the right choice. By the time I left the Open Day, I had made up my mind that WPA was a company which lived the business values that matched my own.David Rollock – Healthcare Partner since September 2014
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