Welcome to the FootWorX Podcast 👣 — the show where we explore the real issues shaping the future of private podiatry in the UK.

In this episode, Damian Murray sits down with Erica Nicholls, Chair of the Royal College of Podiatry Southwest Regional Branch, to discuss a topic that is shaking the foundations of private practice:

⚠️ Is the traditional 50/50 self-employed associate model still legally viable in 2026?

Following a recent Royal College of Podiatry webinar on HMRC, IR35, and employment status, many clinic owners and associates are asking serious questions about the way podiatry businesses are structured.

Together we unpack:

✅ What IR35 and HMRC employment status rules really mean for podiatry clinics ✅ Why the CEST tool could classify most associates as employees ✅ The controversial “right of substitution” loophole ✅ Risks for clinic owners and associates if HMRC investigates ✅ The pros and cons of the associate model vs employed clinicians ✅ Why the future of podiatry may depend on modern employment models ✅ How progressive clinics are building teams, culture, and better patient care

This is an honest, thought-provoking discussion about where private podiatry is heading — and why adapting to change could unlock a stronger future for the profession.

If you’re a podiatrist, clinic owner, associate, new graduate, or healthcare entrepreneur, this episode is essential listening.

⏱ Topics Covered

Introduction

Erica’s background and work with the Royal College

HMRC CEST tool explained

Why most associates may actually be employees 18:30 – The right of substitution explained

Why the associate model became dominant

Pros and cons for clinic owners and associates

The risks of HMRC investigations

Why the profession may need to evolve

Building modern podiatry businesses

The future of private podiatry in the UK

🎧 About the FootWorX Podcast

The FootWorX Podcast explores the clinical, business and professional challenges shaping podiatry today. We speak with leaders in the profession about practice growth, modern healthcare, and the future of private practice.

📢 Connect with the Royal College of Podiatry – Southwest Regional Branch

Follow their events and CPD updates: 📘 Facebook: Royal College of Podiatry – Southwest Regional Branch >>https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560986331340

Email: [email protected]

👍 If you enjoyed this episode

✔️ Like the video ✔️ Subscribe to the channel ✔️ Share with a colleague in podiatry

Your support helps us continue conversations that move the profession forward 👣

💬 Question for the community: Do you think the associate model in podiatry will survive the next decade? Let us know in the comments.

Recorded live at the West Midlands Foot Health Conference, Damian shares a personal story of how his mum selling glasses from the boot of her car sparked a lifelong entrepreneurial drive - and reveals the company that continues to inspire him. 👓 You will hear the origin story of Specsavers• How Doug & Mary Perkins changed UK healthcare in 4 years• How they scaled to 100 practices so fast• Why their branding & marketing were YEARS ahead of the industry• What Foot Medic learned from Specsavers• The power of systems and standardised training• How to build a “Specsavers-style” clinic that can scale nationally🎯 WHY YOU SHOULD WATCHIf you’re a foot health practitioner, podiatrist or healthcare clinic owner who wants to:✨ grow your business✨ build a real brand✨ automate your workload✨ scale nationally✨ or simply get inspired by an incredible story…👉 This is the episode you can’t afford to miss.Are you looking to automate your clinic? Sign up today for a 30 day free of Practice Autopilot™ here: practiceautopilot.co.ukAre you a Podiatrist or Foot Health Practitioner looking for investment in your clinic? Email Damian at the Foot Medic™ Group today: [email protected] for watching.

In this episode of The Sole Traders Podcast, Damian Murray sits down with Adele Beckett, a Foot Health Practitioner, educator and founder of The Foot Health College and Next Step Clinic Training School.

From her start in corporate banking to running a foot health training collage, Adele has developed a game-changing model that could help tackle the podiatry recruitment crisis head-on.

👉 What makes her approach so revolutionary?

She’s enabling podiatrists to train and qualify their own foot heath practitioners in-house!

In this candid and insightful conversation, Damian and Adele discuss:

• How Adele’s personal experience inspired her move into foot health
• What it’s really like to train as a Foot Health Practitioner
• Why private podiatry is facing a recruitment crisis — and what can be done about it
• How Adele’s Next Step Clinic model is bridging the gap between podiatrists and FHPs
• The potential for a new, hybrid training route that supports both professions

Whether you’re a podiatrist struggling to recruit or simply curious about how foot health is evolving — this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible when collaboration replaces competition.

🎧 Tune in to discover how this innovative training pathway could transform the way clinics can grow, recruit, and train their teams.

🔗 Connect with Adele:
📩 [email protected]
🌐the footclinic-rowley.org
☎️ 07368 265487

🎧Listen & Subscribe On:🎧

Apple Podcasts >>
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sole-traders-podcast/id1703926068

Spotify >>
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Aqf73SX1JeF7sdQJlEabH?si=d51fae831fa9436a

YouTube >>
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGaWMlHU9DqiXOd-MXWSSLw

This episode is brought to you by the Foot Medic™ Group... sponsored by Practice Autopilot™

Start you 14 day FREE trial at practiceautopilot.co.uk today. 

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Ready to Sell or Buy a Podiatry or Foot Health Practice?

Discover the essential roadmap to successfully selling or buying a podiatry / foot health practice in our latest podcast.

💼 Whether you're looking to exit your business and retire, or you’re an ambitious practitioner eager to step into private practice, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can’t afford to miss. Damian delivers firsthand strategies for:

✅ Preparing Your Practice for Sale: Remove emotions, understand if you're selling a business or a job, and ensure your practice is ready for the market.

💸 Valuing Your Business: Learn the simple methods to calculate your practice’s worth, without paying for expensive valuations. Damian walks you through everything from EBITDA to multiplier methods, so you can confidently set a price.

🔑 Crafting a Winning Sales Strategy: From building a SWOT analysis to creating purchase options (like deferred payments), Damian shares how to package your practice for the right buyer—whether it's a trusted colleague, competitor, or rising star.

📑 Navigating Legal and Financials: Discover what you need to know about the legal, accounting, and contractual considerations to secure a smooth, profitable sale. Learn how to avoid the costly mistakes many sellers make!

🛠️ Creating a Seamless Transition: Get tips on how to hand over your practice to ensure your patients, staff, and business thrive long after you've moved on.

🎙️ Case Study Success: Hear how Damian and his business partner transformed a job into a thriving multi-podiatrist practice—using the exact strategies shared in this episode!

Don't miss out on this insider knowledge—whether you're planning your exit in the next few years or looking to expand your horizons. Damian’s practical, no-nonsense advice will help you maximize your business's value and make the transition smooth for everyone involved.

Special thanks to Michelle Gibson at Canonbury Healthcare for all their work in providing CPD events for podiatrists and foot health practitioners.

You can view their education resources here >> https://www.canonbury.com/events

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Welcome to this episode of the Soletraders podcast, "Curacorn® - Why ‘Curing’ Patients is a Better Business Model than ‘Recurring’ Patients," where we explore a 21st-century solution to an age-old foot problem.

For the past 1,500 years, dating back to Hippocrates' "On Regimen" (460 BCE-380 BCE), physicians, chiropodists, and podiatrists have struggled to find a permanent solution for one of the most common foot issues: corns. 

But has Catherine Hughes (Hobbs), a renowned podiatrist from Wigan, UK, finally cracked the code with her revolutionary Curacorn®? I believe she has!

Join us as we delve into:

• The remarkable 40-year journey of Catherine Hughes in the field of podiatry
• How her determination to keep footballers on their feet led to the development of Curacorn®
• The importance of advancing our professional skills with this groundbreaking solution
• And why focusing on ‘curing’ patients is a more effective business model than simply managing ‘recurring’ ones

Don't miss out on this fascinating conversation that could change the future of foot care!

If you would like to know more about training as a Curacorn® practitioner, simply:
Visit their website: https://www.curacorn.co.uk
Or, email:[email protected]
Or call Catherine on:  07519 719143

Start you 14 day FREE trial at practiceautopilot.co.uk

Join Damian on Series 1: Episode 9 of the Sole Traders podcast, which is a recording of a Canonbury Healthcare webinar on: ‘How do I start a successful Podiatry / Foot Health Care practice?’ 

Damian discusses:

• What I've learned about private practice from managing a 2.4 million portfolio. 
• What it really takes to be a successful private practitioner. 
• How to reverse-engineer the perfect private practice.
• Why a great job is better than an average business.
• Why all private practices should be built to sell.
• We finish with a great Q&A session from some of the webinar guests.

This is a PODCAST+ episode so you can watch (as well as listen) to the webinar here >> https://soletraders.net/course/how-do-i-start-a-successful-podiatry-foot-health-care-practice

Listen & Subscribe On:

Apple Podcasts >> https://bit.ly/stpodcastapple

Spotify >> https://bit.ly/stpodcastspotify

Google Podcasts >> https://bit.ly/stpodcastgoogle

Website >> https://soletraders.net/blog/how-do-i-start-a-successful-podiatry-foot-health-care-practice

Hope you enjoy the show

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In this episode, I chat with Hugh Tregoning.

Hugh qualified as a physiotherapist in 2008 and continues to practise whilst representing Wales in his role as the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) Professional Liaison Consultant.

With a background in both NHS and private healthcare settings, Hugh offers a unique perspective on the regulatory expectations of healthcare professionals, drawing from his own experiences as a fellow practitioner.

Join us as we discuss:

• The role of the HCPC Professional Liaison Service and its purpose for healthcare professionals.
• Hugh's journey to becoming the HCPC Professional Liaison Consultant and what fuels his passion for this pivotal role.
• An insight on how the Professional Liaison Service can support both NHS and private practitioners. 
• The hidden dangers of online forums for healthcare professionals – a must-hear for every podiatrist.
• An insightful viewpoint on why embracing regulation can be the best move a healthcare practitioner makes.

Don't miss this episode, it will change the way you view the Health & Care Professions Council.

You can contact Hugh Tregoning, together with all the regional HCPC liaison consultants here >> https://www.hcpc-uk.org/about-us/who-we-are/hcpc-departments/professional-liaison-service/

FINALLY

If you would like to speak to the Foot Medic™ Group how we can help you start, grow, manage or exit your podiatry business - WhatsApp or call us on 0800 999 1150 and I'll arrange an informal and confidential chat.

Hope you enjoy the show.

Start you 14 day FREE trial at practiceautopilot.co.uk

 This is the first PODCAST + where our listeners can follow the business planning discussed in the episode in the NEW 'FREE RESOURCES' section of the Sole Traders website.  

In this episode Damian shares a cringey but relevant anecdote about wedding planning, how that is relevant to business planning and the shocking fact that both marriages and business fail at the same rate in the UK!

To avoid the common pitfalls (in business not in marriage) and obtain funding, Damian takes you through the process of completing the British Business Bank's :

• Business Plan
• Personal Survival Budget
• Sales Assumptions
• Cash Flow Forecast

Listen to the podcast and follow the step-by-step process online at any time by registering for the free resource at: SoleTraders.net/resources 

Finally, if you would like to know more about how we work with private practitioners to help them start, grow, manage and exit their practices, CONTACT US via the website to book an informal chat.

It may be the best appointment you make today!

Thanks for listening!

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In this episode, I talk about the importance of completing a feasibility study to assess the risks associated with starting a new business and how you can control the variables to mitigate your risk. 

Starting with, "Are you the right person for the job?" I talk about the four main tests to assess your start-up or re-assess your existing clinic so you can make decisions based on facts rather than fantasy. 

This podcast leads on to the next podcast in the series where I will take you through a step-by-step guide to create the building blocks for a successful practice using the tried and tested Foot Medic Business Plan.

The Cash Flow Forecast Template mentioned in the podcast can be downloaded HERE

Thanks for listening.

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In this episode, I compare the difference between achieving a Band 8c salary (£70,000 - £81,000) via the NHS and private practice routes.

I explain why you are 98% more likely to achieve this payscale in private practice and how podiatrists who are on the same 'salary' don't get the same pay!

In fact, the difference is as much as £1,400 per month!!

This may get many podiatrists thinking about their financial future as the figures speak for themselves: See Here

If you would like to know more about how we work with private practice owners to achieve a Band 8 salary+  then book a discovery call HERE, it may be the best appointment you make today :-)

Thank you for listening :-)

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