Aspray

Roy Bowen: 10 Years of Aspray (Wakefield)

We recently caught up with Aspray (Wakefield) franchisee, Roy Bowen, who talked about the decade he has shared with Aspray.

A lot can happen in a decade. The smile on Roy’s face as he tells stories of the claims he has managed, the people he has met and the events he has taken part in over the past ten years really sums up how much he has enjoyed his franchise experience.

“It was a memorable day when I joined. The eleventh of the eleventh 2011.” Roy said. “And I’m still looking ahead.”

After being made redundant in 2011 following a 25 year career in engineering, Roy found himself looking for something new that would fit his ‘just in time’ management skills. When he spotted the Aspray advert in the Daily Mail, Roy knew it was the opportunity for him. 

Now ten years later, Roy feels like the job is second nature to him. Despite this, he admitted that all claims are different and bring along new challenges allowing him to constantly grow and learn.

Going into his eleventh year, Roy has more work than ever before. “I’m busier now than I’ve ever been. I can’t believe how busy I am. I guess it’s easier when you’ve been around longer, people know you are there and are more comfortable coming to you and asking questions.”
It’s easy to tell that Roy wants to grow his business, aiming to bring on staff to manage his admin and accounts. Hs intention is to free up his time allowing him to focus solely on the claims management aspect of the role, ensuring the policyholder is well looked after and their claim is handled swiftly and efficiently.  

His passion for helping the policyholder is evident in everything Roy has done throughout his time with Aspray and his belief in the service is testament to his longevity. “If you want to help people and help them at a time that they are in a crisis and get them through it, Aspray works. There should be an Aspray person available for everyone when they have a property claim.”

Thinking back to 2011 when it all started, Roy talked about how different Aspray was at that time. “The professionalism, the support and the whole setup of Aspray is much better and much smarter. It’s evolved in a progressive way. It’s grown and got better.”
However, one thing Roy is adamant has not changed at Aspray is the core value of helping the policyholder. “When I started with Aspray, James (Aspray’s Managing Director) said to me, when we handle these claims, we treat each policyholder as if they are a member of our own family. And that’s what I still do today. That practise has not changed.”

As one of Aspray’s longest-serving franchisees, Roy acknowledged that the best bit of the job is that, even after ten years, it still brings a smile to his face. “It’s seeing people satisfied, happy and resolved and knowing that over the ten years, you’ve helped people get back to their life. You see the homeowner, or policyholder satisfied and smiling, or you that the claims have caused them the minimum inconvenience, that’s what you have achieved for them.”

It has certainly been an eventful decade for Roy and his franchise. We can’t wait to see what the next one brings.

An interview with Sara Holmes – Sunderland Franchisee

With over 20 years’ experience under her belt delivering successful housing and regeneration schemes in the public and private sector, Sara Holmes had a track record of hitting targets, fuelling business growth and enhancing the profitability of businesses before she took up the franchise opportunity with Aspray and became a loss assessor. So how has her impressive CV helped her fledgling franchise business and who is the person behind Aspray Sunderland? We made it our mission to find out!

Q. Sara, please tell us a little bit about Aspray Sunderland. When did you start your franchise business?

A. I set up the company on April the 20th 2018, but I didn’t start trading until after my training finished on the 22nd June. The first day on which I sat at my desk and logged on to my CRM system was June the 28th and my very first Aspray appointment was on the Friday of that week.

Q. What was it about the Aspray opportunity that attracted you?

A. I felt that the role of loss assessor would suit me, as I could utilise many of the skills that I had mastered during 20 years of working in the housing sector, and in land buying and business development. The time was also right for me to explore the opportunity.

Q. Your CV suggests that you have a huge amount of experience in project management. Is that a fair assessment?

A. Absolutely. I’ve provided strategic direction for many projects, which I have grown and monitored, adapting them where necessary. I am also used to co-ordinating and leading teams. The scope of my work has focused heavily on customer service delivery and has entailed overseeing the work of various sub-contractors. I’ve been a project director, a head of business development and a development director during my career.

Q. What would you describe as your best qualities?

A. Credibility and tenacity.

Q. And your three key skills?

A. Leadership, strategic approach and commercial thinking.

Q. And how would you describe your personality in three words?

A. Enthusiastic, talkative and resourceful.

Q. OK. So now we know you a little better, why do you think these qualities and skills, coupled with your personality, will be useful in your Aspray franchise business?

A. The Aspray business model relies on the correct application and delivery of several diverse operations. Each element needs to be done correctly, in order to deliver the successful outcomes for the business. My ability to plan, organise, negotiate, lead and manage teams of people, whilst also being abreast of various situations, suit the role well and dovetail with my credibility as an individual.

Q. What has been the biggest challenge, work-related or personal, that you’ve faced in your career to date?

A. A total change in career. I have followed the same career path for 20 years, moving up from assistant level to a role as a director. However, I became disillusioned working in a PLC and could not see myself staying long-term in the next logical position on my career ladder, which would have been as MD. I took a break from my career to review my future options and to reassess my priorities and decided that what I actually wanted was much better life balance and not another promotion. That is why I decided to take up the Aspray franchise opportunity, to fit my work around the rest of my life.

Q. Do you have a favourite quote that inspires you? If so, what is it?

A. Yes. “Nothing changes, if nothing changes.”

Q. So who do you admire in business, and why?

A. I admire anyone who can articulate their thought process and ultimately explain the reason why they made a decision, whatever that decision may relate to.

Q. Describe ‘the dream’ for you.

A. When I evaluated my life, I realised that I was living life backwards. I was working 18 hours a day, pretty much 7 days a week and around 50 weeks of the year. I was 100% focused on being successful and I was earning a lot of money, but was unhappy. I just didn’t see enough of my family and I lost touch with good friends. I had actually become emotionally poor. I am not a materialistic person, I’ve never been big on fashion or needed the latest gadgets and trinkets in my life, but I was buying these things because they made it look like I had everything. Everyone around me was doing exactly the same. What I need to do is enjoy life and embrace the opportunities I have. I want to be able to fit my job around my life and earn enough money to do the things I want to do, whilst contributing positively to my family. I want to build a comfortable future for us and I want to enjoy life.

Q. What is your horoscope sign? Are you a typical example of someone born under your sign, or have you never bothered with such things?

A. Taurus, but I’m not really into horoscopes.

Q. A lot of loss assessing could be said to revolve around fate. Are you superstitious and, if so, what’s your biggest superstition?

A. I wouldn’t describe myself as superstitious, but I do ponder on coincidence a lot and wonder if things are sometimes meant to be. I think that you have to be out there doing things, to attract business and that, if you say something a lot, to enough people, at some point you will find a claim not related to weather!

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. Cooking, gardening, reading, cycling, walking and crafting.

Q. Describe your pre-work power breakfast.

A. Porridge 90% of the time. If it’s really hot outside, cornflakes with ice cold milk.

Q. Who has helped you most in your career and how?

A. This is difficult to answer, as I have taken inspiration and guidance from so many people over the years that it’s hard to name just one person. I guess my parents, for spending as much as they did on my education and letting me leave university debt-free. This ultimately allowed me to be open about my choices, without having to rush into any decisions.

Q. Do you have a family?

A. Yes, a husband (Ben) and 6-year-old daughter (Anya)

Q. Do you have any pets?

A. Yes, two goldfish – Bob and Lily

Q. Where in the world would you most like to visit and why?

A. India. I would love to experience the smells, colours and the taste of real Indian food.

Q. How have you found the first few weeks in your business?

A. During the first few weeks, I was up and down, wondering if I had made the right decision. I clunked my way through my first pitch and felt a bit awkward about everything, but then everything suddenly clicked into place. People seemed to start to understand what a loss assessor does and started to ask me questions, enquiring how they could help me. My confidence returned and I haven’t looked back.

Q. How has it felt to be helping other people through their property insurance claim and what can be a distressing situation?

A. I started to handle my first claim in week 3. It feels great to call the claimant and just give them an update on progress, hearing them say, each time I talk to them, “I’m so pleased that you are doing this. I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Q. Has anything particularly interesting happened so far?

A. I won the 60-second pitch trophy in week three of attending my networking BNI group. This is awarded to the member who gives the most inspiring presentation. Mine was a case study of how I have helped a contractor progress his insurance claim. I started to assist him after his insurer had talked him out of making a claim against his policy, even though it was his entitlement, under the terms of his policy, to claim.

Q. And finally … what is your ringtone and what does it say about you?

A. Orchestral, which doesn’t really say anything. It’s just about audible within my handbag and different to all the other ringtones around me!

Day in Life of an Apsray Franchisee

Not a Typical Day (Weather conditions very windy on the hills of Bradford)



07.00 Didn′t need the alarm this morning, I′d been listening to the wind rattling my windows and had attended 7 surveys for storm damage the day before. I knew this was going to be a busy day but was not quite prepared for what was to come. I usually block my diary out until 10.00.am since I live an hour away from my area and the M62 is a car park until after rush hour. 



07.30 Out with the dog as usual for quick walk up to the moors and back (just behind my back garden so that′s handy). 


08.00 Dog giving me a shockingly dirty look because he is now back in the kitchen having had his walked cut short. Tried to explain I was busy but he′s having none of it. He′s off back to his bed for a massive sulk.


08.15 In the office now with a cup of coffee and logging onto Salesforce. Diary looks quite busy; I think I′d better get a shift on here. 



09.30 All yesterday′s surveys updated, showered, dressed and ready for action. Slurped another cup of coffee, jumped in the car and heading for the hills.



11.00. Just arriving at the first appointment, not difficult to find the house, it′s the one with no ridge tiles. Just about to get out of the car when my mobile rings, it’s the office, some–one wants an appointment today. I ask them to text the details and I′ll give them a call within the hour.



This is quite a straight forward claim (60 – 80 mph gusts and on top of a hill). Quick look at the roof, take some photos and then knock on the door. Mandate signed without question and even pointed me to next door′s house that has the same problem. Had a chat with neighbours and got a Mandate signed. Got into car and called the lady who wanted an appointment today, told her I would try to get there today but if not I would go in the morning. 



13.00 Now at the other side of Bradford for a pre–arranged meeting with a Loss Adjuster. This job has been going on for a year now and the Insurers want a statement from the policy holder and asked me to witness it. An hour later still sat there but at least Mrs Khan has promised to cook me a special curry if this claim goes through.



14.00 Off to my next damaged roof survey. 5 surveys later + another 5 emergency repairs organised it is now 18.30 and I am setting off home.



11.59 In the office still trying to get quotes updated on Salesforce. Bedtime I think, early start in the morning, got a full diary and it′s Saturday tomorrow.

In General
I′ve been with Aspray for more than two years and cannot imagine working for somebody else again. As you can see each day is different, this is certainly not a 9–5 job, in fact sometimes it feels more like a way of life than a job. I enjoy the fact that each day is different are the same (except for the M62). 



I find it′s really just a matter of reacting to what is in front of you on any given day, sometimes we are really busy and sometimes less busy. On the less busy times it is sometimes good to agree to be Dad′s taxi or knock off early for a quick game of golf or if it′s too cold for golf take the family out to tea. The great thing I find is that you can work until midnight without feeling any resentment and you can have some bit of leisure time without feeling guilty and that’s what being your own boss is all about.