WPA

Ray joined WPA in the summer of 2004 having previously had a variety of careers from been an Accountant to having considerable experience in manufacturing and distribution companies before entering the world of information systems. From this he has gained in excess of 20 years experience within IT and is experienced at all levels from Customer Services Director to Branch Manager, Account Executive, Project Manager and Application Consultant.

Rays franchise business with WPA goes from strength to strength year upon year. Although there are multiple routes to market to develop a WPA franchise Ray has streamlined his activity mainly to working with introducers. This popular concept allows Ray to concentrate on renewing his customer base, currently at 89% retention rate, and his introducers supply a steady stream of new business.

What Ray is particularly good at is moving with the market – when recession hit Ray furthered the WPA campaign of updating all customer of the ten top tips on how to maintain your cover but save money. This campaign resulted in even higher retention rates for Ray and also provided lots of referrals from existing customers who became even bigger ambassadors of Ray and WPA.

 

‘Moving from public to private sector is not as daunting as you might think’, says Philippa McQueen who, until two years ago, had a 30 year career in teaching before joining WPA, a not for profit medical insurer.

Within months she introduced a large company and within a year she had one of the fastest growing businesses at WPA. Philippa has thrived on the transition having doubled her annual targets in both years.

‘This is no easy task’ says the Director of WPA’s National Franchise Team, Berkeley Harris. He continues, ‘The goals we agree are designed to be tough but achievable and Philippa has that quiet determination, a commitment and a personality which means that she will be a success at whatever she does; WPA are lucky to have her’

The decision to move sectors came about because teaching and Philippa had changed over time.   Demands took her away from what she loved most. ‘Life is too short not to enjoy every moment and I knew WPA from personal experience; 10 years ago, they saved my husband’s life.’

Changing careers became an opportunity. Berkeley emphasizes that no experience is necessary to be a WPA Franchisee, ‘all we want are individuals who are enthusiastic and reflect our quality brand. There are 20 empty territories available and we are determined that all new Franchisees are successful. That said, we reject more than we accept because we cannot afford our reputation to be tarnished by someone who does not have WPA in their blood. The £7500 cost of a WPA Franchise is low due to our not for profit status.’
 
He continues ‘The role is all about supplementing the valuable work of the NHS by helping customers fund their healthcare. To do it well requires an engrained belief in ‘treating them as you would hope to be treated’

For Philippa, the decision to move was a brave one but ‘WPA helped me all of the way; I will never forget my first meeting with Berkeley which was supposed to be an hour and ended up being two and a half hours; all of my impressions of WPA became reality. A week later, I was at a Regional meeting, the training course came next, then the business. The support from WPA has never stopped; my mentor revitalized my spirits whenever they were dented. It worked and I now have a thriving and successful business.’  

While the ongoing support has made the move easier, the transferable skills of teaching have been integral to setting up a successful owner-managed business. ‘Communication, belief and commitment are vital to all that a WPA franchisee does’ says Berkeley while Philippa agrees, ‘ Without doubt, teaching has contributed to my success.’

To the future, Philippa plans ‘to grow through the recommendation of existing customers and networking’.  With all that is happening in the UK, she is optimistic about the potential for her business.  ‘Sometimes my enthusiasm gets the better of me, especially in the early days where I found myself being introduced to a 250,000 employee scheme.’ She continues, ‘I need to target my enthusiasm and my hard work will be better rewarded.’
 
Regrets? ‘Absolutely none’ says Philippa, ‘My success is down to my hard work, WPA’s support and, with what happened to my husband, a cast iron belief in what I do. The private sector really is a land of opportunity’  

 

Wendy Pake has built a lucrative career as a franchisee with WPA Healthcare – and the company is looking for more like her.

‘I had to find a way to provide for my two children quickly,’ says Wendy, from Edinburgh. ‘The WPA opportunity attracted me. I had no medical or sales background but I knew I was good with people and felt I could sell.’

Wendy took the training course and within a year business took off.

‘Once I had sourced my first customers they referred me to others and pretty soon I had a sports car and was paying off my mortgage early,’ says Wendy.

Franchisees with ethical, not-for-profit company WPA sell medical insurance to companies and individuals, working from home or an office.

 ‘It helps that we use a gentle approach,’ says Wendy. ‘I earn far more than most women I know, and as a self-employed company representative I can fit my work around the family.’

She says:  ‘Health insurance sounds like a man’s world, but it’s not.  I think women are especially suited to it. Some customers feel more comfortable giving their medical history to a woman.’

Berkeley Harris, Director of the Franchise Team at WPA, says: ‘Many women posses the empathy and communications skills that help build trust with customers.  This also contributes towards long-term customer relationships.’

The £7,500 franchise fee covers training, a two year mentor programme, and ongoing support from the company. A returnable £2,500 ‘fidelity bond’ is also payable.

 

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.

Originally from the North East but now based in the Manchester area, Robert was frustrated after 30 years in textile manufacturing and supply chain management by future prospects for his career.

So, after many years managing contracts supplying clothing to companies such as Marks & Spencer, Robert headed for the exhibition looking with an open mind for a new career challenge.

Although he saw and considered opportunities in various industries including plumbing and car body repairs, healthcare insurance provider WPA particularly caught his eye because he had been a client of the company in a former role.

“Although I had not really expected to find work in financial services, once I started speaking with them I was impressed and wanted to know more.”

After several further meetings building and testing a possible relationship, Robert eventually joined WPA, taking its territory in Great Manchester and North Cheshire.

It was the right decision from the start. Robert got off to a flying start, in fact, the best ever by a new WPA franchisee. Since then Robert has continued to build the momentum and has become an award-winning franchisee.

“The key is hard work and applying the proven business model successfully. I’d recommend franchising and WPA as a career, and a visit to the British Franchise Exhibition as a great way to find ideas, meet franchisors and discover which company or industry is the best fit for you.”