Meet our People: Claire Wilderspin

At HUC, we encourage our colleagues to develop their skills and actively support professional development through apprenticeships and other training programmes. This National Apprenticeship Week, we are proud to celebrate the commitment and dedication of some of our apprentices.

In this blog, we highlight the apprenticeship success of our Deputy Head of NHS 111, Claire Wilderspin.

Completed Level 5 Management and Leadership apprenticeship with Distinction

Claire joined HUC in 2012, starting as a part-time Health Advisor while balancing family life. Over time, she advanced to a coach, then auditor, before becoming Assistant Contact Centre Manager in 2017. In 2020, she took on the role of Acting Deputy Head of Region amidst the challenges of Covid, and by 2021, she was officially confirmed as Deputy Head of NHS 111. “My journey with HUC has been filled with growth, challenges, and valuable opportunities,” she says.

“In late 2021, I embarked on a Level 5 Management and Leadership apprenticeship, which I completed in early 2024. I aimed to gain a deeper understanding of management practices and develop new skills in areas like budget management, project management, and stakeholder engagement. The apprenticeship helped me refine my leadership approach and broadened my knowledge.”

With a combination of real-world experience and theoretical insights, Claire says the course directly benefited her role. She gained a clearer understanding of team motivation, emotional intelligence, communication, and finance monitoring, which enhanced my confidence and leadership effectiveness.

Claire lauds the support she received while pursuing this course and the guidance she received from her line manager, HR, and other teams. “Despite work pressures, I was encouraged to take time for my coursework and received targeted training to fill any learning gaps,” she adds.

“I highly recommend apprenticeships as they foster growth, transferable skills, and self-development, all vital for career advancement,” she says.

If you’re considering a career at HUC, visit https://hucweb.co.uk/vacancies-at-huc/ or you could visit https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-by-interests if you’re looking for an apprenticeship.