Welcome back to our ‘Meet the Speaker’ newsletter series, where we’ll be interviewing members of our speaker line-up for Therapy Expo 2025. It’s a chance to get to know the experts behind all the real insights, experience, and guidance presented at the show.   

This week, we’re meeting Celia Champion, CEO of Painless Practice…  

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in business consultancy? 

I was born in Scotland, grew up in South Africa, and moved back to the UK in 2008. In South Africa, I studied law, but my career took a turn when I went into business with my late husband - we built and sold an electronic security company. I then spent four years as Managing Director in the acquiring business as part of our exit arrangement. 

When we moved to the UK, I knew I wanted to bring forward the parts of my career I’d loved most: mentoring team members, supporting career growth, and helping people set up businesses. I started a coaching business, initially working with corporate clients and mums returning to work or launching ventures of their own. 

Early on, I met my now-retired business partner, James, who had founded Painless Practice to support osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. I quickly fell in love with working with clinic owners and we became 50/50 partners. I took over the business fully in 2016, and James continued to work with me as an associate until his retirement in 2020. 

What’s the focus of your presentations at this year’s conference, and why is this topic important right now? 

The first presentation I will be delivering at the Expo is ‘Knowing your numbers – The Top Numbers to Track in Your Clinic’. This session is all about helping practice owners feel more confident and in control when it comes to the numbers side of their business. A lot of people find the figures daunting, but this session breaks things down in a simple, stress-free way. 

We'll look at which numbers really matter in a clinic setting, so you're not wasting energy tracking everything, and how to use them to set meaningful, personalised targets. I’ll also demonstrate how small, consistent changes based on these insights can have a big impact on your business. 

The second presentation is ‘The seven key elements to build a successful practice from scratch’. This session is all about helping private health practitioners lay the groundwork for sustainable growth. We look at how to define and align your vision, values, and culture so they’re reflected in every part of your practice, from team behaviours to client experience. 

We’ll also explore how to develop the right mindset and decision-making habits to confidently prioritise what matters most at each stage of your business journey. I’ll share practical tools to help build systems that make compliance easier, enhance service delivery, and create space for future expansion. 

What’s one thing you hope attendees will take away from your session?  

I’d love attendees to walk away with a clear, practical plan that they feel genuinely confident about; one that helps them make informed decisions and grow their practice in a way that feels aligned and sustainable. They’ll leave with strategies to market themselves with clarity, attract the right clients consistently, and build a business that reflects their values and vision. Ultimately, it’s about creating a practice that works for them; financially, personally, and professionally. 

Have there been any recent developments or innovations in running a clinic/business that you find particularly exciting? 

One of the most exciting developments has been the rise of AI and how it's starting to transform the way clinics operate, especially in terms of efficiency and marketing. 

On the operational side, AI tools are making it quicker and easier to manage things like admin, documentation, and patient communication. It’s allowing clinic owners and their teams to focus more on what they do best, caring for patients, without getting bogged down in repetitive tasks. 

From a marketing perspective, AI is also changing how clinics show up online. Google's algorithms are now placing even more emphasis on useful, well-written, regularly updated content. AI can help generate ideas and speed up content creation, but it still needs the human touch to keep it authentic and relevant. I think the blend of automation and personal connection is going to be a game-changer for many practices. 

What’s one misconception about running a clinic/business you often encounter, and how do you address it? 

A common misconception is that if you're a great clinician, running a successful business will just fall into place. In reality, clinical expertise is just one part of the puzzle. Running a clinic requires a whole different skill set things like leadership, financial awareness, strategic planning, and marketing. 

I often meet brilliant practitioners who feel frustrated or overwhelmed because no one ever taught them the business side. That’s where we come in—to help them build those skills in a way that still keeps their passion for patient care at the heart of everything. Once they start thinking like business owners—not just clinicians—their confidence grows, and the whole practice benefits. 

How do you continue learning and evolving in your practice? Are there any books, courses, or mentors that have influenced you recently? 

We have a book club in our mastery programme that started in 2021. We add a book every month so we have quite the library of resources now. Simon Sinek, author of ‘Start With Why’, ‘The Infinite Game’ and ‘Leaders Eat Last’ is a firm favourite. We have also covered several of Mike Michalowicz’ books – ‘Profit First’, ‘Fix This Next’ and ‘The Pumpkin Plan’.  Some of my favourite podcasts include ‘Diary of a CEO’, ‘Mel Robbins’, ‘The High Performance Podcast’ and ‘Feel Better, Live More ‘.  

What do you enjoy most about working in this field? 

One of the things I genuinely love is the people I get to work with. Therapists tend to be kind, caring, and genuinely lovely human beings! What makes it even more fulfilling is knowing that the support I provide doesn’t just help the clinic owner, it has a ripple effect. When we strengthen the business, we see the whole team thrive, and ultimately, that benefits the patients too. Knowing that the work I do can contribute to better care, more confident practitioners, and healthier businesses is hugely satisfying. 

Outside of work, how do you like to unwind or recharge? 

To unwind I am happiest when I’m moving; running is a big one for me. I used to call myself a 5k girl, but I recently ran my first half marathon, which still surprises me! I also enjoy golf, the gym, and playing padel.  

Outside of that, I love spending time with my fiancé, my grown-up daughters, and stepsons. I’m often catching up with friends, trying out something new at a cooking school, or just enjoying some good food and conversation. And I’ll never say no to a glass of champagne! 

Register for your ticket now to attend Celia’s session at Therapy Expo 2025.