Somerset Chamber is proud to support a diverse range of organisations in the Somerset business community who are as passionate about our region as we are.
In a new series of interviews, we will be shining a spotlight on some of our Business Partners, recognising their commitment to Somerset, its business community and beyond.
Somerset Voices is also a chance to find out more about the people behind the brands!
Our next Somerset Voices spotlight is Charlie MacEwan, Corporate Communications Director, at WPA.
Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role. What does a typical day look like for you?
Charlie MacEwan and I lead the communications at WPA, Somerset’s health insurer with families, SME and large corporate customers across the UK. I’m also Chief Executive of the WPA Foundation charity supporting West Country families with their travel costs to hospital and schools across the UK to purchase sports equipment.
My day is rarely the same, be it fielding media enquiries, managing external relations, spreading the word amongst influencers and commentators, networking, coaching, training as well as delivering the WPA Foundation’s objectives – promoting great health amongst the young.
Can you tell us about your business/organisation, what you do, where you’re based and how your work has a positive impact on those you work with?
WPA is a health insurer with customers at the centre of all that it does. Service excellence is what we are famous for be it leading the Which? review of health insurers for the last three years or the Trustpilot review site for as long as I can remember.
With 450 staff based in our UK Headquarters in Taunton, our purpose is to supplement the great work of the NHS fulfilling our commitment to pay claims. For companies, representing 80% of our customers, we help employees be more productive giving them more choice in how they recover from illness.
What do you enjoy most about doing business in Somerset?
The people and the purpose. The WPA team are amazing. With the majority in the office, workdays are alive, social and fun.
Aside customers being at the centre of all that we do, making WPA a great place to work is one of our strategic goals and, as a health business, we want everyone to be healthy. There’s a walking track for natural daylight, fresh air and exercise. Having recently installed photovoltaics, producing 20% of our electricity, our ISO14001 underlines our sustainability objectives while free hot drinks sustain us during the working day.
The work of the WPA Foundation underlines WPA’s value making us not just a great place to work but an amazing company to do business with.
Outside of work, what’s your ‘Somerset favourite’, as in a place to visit or activity you like to do in our county?
I know that I’m nearly home when I can see the sea.
As I eat, talk, drink and type from Monday to Friday, I have to be outside at weekends. Whether, it’s the family, ponies, sheep, garden, wood or outside interests, the fresh air sustains me and, much to the irritation of many, I’m not very good at sitting still.
My world is made when I am on top of a hill, looking at a view through horse’s ears sorting the world’s challenges with a child or two.
My world will be solved when I have the time to grow what I eat which is a delusion and an aspiration for now.
How long have you been members of Somerset Chamber of Commerce and what prompted you to join?
Six years ago to support our strategic objective to become Somerset’s health insurer.
We may not insure Somerset yet but we are way better known. A work in progress with the help of the Somerset Chamber with lots more to do.
What has been the most valuable aspect for you/your organisation, of being part of Somerset Chamber?
Membership of the Somerset Chamber has been part of a multi-layered strategy to be better known in the West Country.
The sponsorship of Somerset Cricket has magnified awareness while the work of the WPA Foundation has cemented our relationship with the community be it supporting West Country Parents with their travel costs to hospital or supporting schools to purchase sports equipment.
The Foundation and the success and growth of the business in recent years has positioned us as a great and rewarding local employer to work for.
What advice would you give to a business thinking of joining Somerset Chamber?
Make friends, enjoy the company and grow.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
