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handl Group’s Health and Wellbeing division brings together 12 well-established brands, each with a wealth of experience and expertise in their own chosen fields. With so many different customers and stakeholders to support, we needed to put together a team that could tackle any challenge head on.
We’ve already introduced you to the new divisional MD Margaret McNab, and her wealth of experience in the field at companies including Maximus, Bupa and Capita, so now it’s the turn of the division’s other new appointments. Finance Director David Trendle and Commercial Director Scot Smith.
David Trendle – Finance Director, Health and Wellbeing Division
Trained at Baker Tilly, and with a CV boasting multiple CFO roles, David Trendle brings with him a career’s-worth of experience. Like Margaret, David’s background includes time spent at Capita where as a commercially-focused finance director, he was responsible for delivering a £700m contract for the British Army and The Pensions Regulator’s auto-enrolment contract.
While he’s not coming from a healthcare background, David’s impressed with the opportunities for growth with the Health and Wellbeing division.
“I’ve come from outside the industry, so I had to do my research before taking the role. But what I saw impressed me. There’s a great mix of different companies here, with a sense of purpose and ambition that’s really going to blend well.”
As well as managing finances, David sees his role as encouraging that blend.
“I’ve worked for some really large businesses, and I’ve learned that being able to knit together technology and ideas across businesses is what delivers opportunities. By developing and building on the synergy across the division, we can create a structure where everyone supports each other, we fill knowledge and product gaps, and create some really powerful end-to-end solutions.”
While he hasn’t been with handl Group long, David is already optimistic about the way things are going, not least because he’s seeing a real team take shape.
“The way I see it, one of the main roles of the finance director is being a co-pilot with the MD. We’re all working towards the same goal – growth – and we’re doing it in a complex, dynamic environment. We are all highly experienced directors who share a passion and a mindset – Margaret, myself, and Scot. We’re already really working well together.”
It’s early days, but signs are already promising. And that’s an opinion shared by our other new Health and Wellbeing appointment.
Scot Smith – Commercial Director, Health and Wellbeing Division
Scot Smith is an experienced leader who was key in the transformational growth at companies such as Nuffield Health and Medigold Health. Scot brings over two decades of leadership experience to his new position at Handl Group, and underscores the significance of trust in fostering success:
“Success is all about trust and being trusted. While we are still acclimating, I have encountered numerous individuals eager to contribute positively to the growth of our businesses. I believe in fostering honest and open dialogue, working collaboratively to tackle challenges, and empowering the team to excel.”
This collaborative approach has significantly influenced Scot’s career trajectory. He’s successfully overseen major acquisitions and held the roles of CEO and Chief Growth Officer at Medigold Health and its associated divisions. His background also includes serving as Commercial Director at Nuffield Health and Managing Director at Capita Health, along with partnerships involving the NHS, government agencies, local councils, private companies, and insurers. Scot reflects on his extensive and impressive career with a laid-back attitude, stating, “Yeah, it’s been busy. It feels like I’ve had loads of adventures.”
Already familiar with several Handl Group brands such as Reach, Corporé, Mind Right, and IPRS, Scot is optimistic about the opportunities ahead:
“There’s a tremendous opportunity here. Many brands complement one another, and when they don’t, they can still provide mutual support. With a variety of specialist businesses represented across the division, we can explore innovative ways to collaborate and create robust combined propositions to enhance the brands within the handl Group.”
He elaborates on the group’s ambition to enhance its performance:
“We need to evaluate our resources, define our strengths, and identify areas for improvement as we move forward to attract new customers.”
While the aspirations for growth, integrated offerings, and sustained success are promising, what truly excites Scot and David about their new challenge? Scot’s thoughts sum up the way both he and David feel:
“If we nurture and promote the brands, positioning them as the providers of choice while supporting the existing talent within the Health and Wellbeing division to reach their fullest potential, we will indeed become a force of nature.”
We wholeheartedly agree.
