Hannah Cross
Hannah Cross, an experienced Marketing Manager at CHEC. CHEC specialises in community ophthalmology and gastroenterology services in collaboration with the NHS.
With a decade of experience across manufacturing, technology, and healthcare, Hannah is passionate about leveraging the full marketing mix to drive meaningful engagement and results.
- Tell us a little bit about your business…
CHEC is one of the UK’s leading providers of community healthcare. For more than a decade, CHEC has been working in partnership with the NHS to increase patient choice and provide access to timely care and treatment locally. Through its 25+ community hospitals nationwide, CHEC makes specialist eyecare and gastroenterology services more readily accessible in local communities by offering patients greater flexibility and reduced waiting times.
- How did you get into the industry?
Following the COVID lockdown, I felt motivated to seek new challenges. I was employed at an education technology company when a recruiter introduced me to the opportunity at CHEC. The role seemed both exciting and demanding, and the prospect of contributing to healthcare, especially given its increased pressures post-pandemic, significantly appealed to me.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
In the healthcare sector, the primary opportunities lie in expansion and enhancing patient care. When I joined CHEC 2 years ago, we were primarily an ophthalmology service operating out of 6 hospitals. Now, we’ve broadened our services to include gastroenterology and have expanded to 25 live hospital sites, with ambitions to grow further in the next year. Our referral to treatment time is 0-4 weeks which is amazing compared to other provider waiting times.
The main challenges we face include B2C marketing and building brand awareness. However, we’ve dedicated the past six months to making incremental improvements in these areas.
- How would you describe your leadership style?
As a Marketing Manager, my leadership style is collaborative and results oriented. I believe in fostering a culture of openness, where every team member feels empowered to share ideas and take initiative. This approach not only encourages creativity but also drives accountability, as everyone takes ownership of their contributions to our projects. I prioritise clear communication, setting transparent goals, and providing the support and resources my team needs to achieve them. By celebrating successes and learning from challenges together, we continuously improve and stay motivated towards our common goals. My aim is to inspire my team by example, demonstrating commitment, flexibility, and a passion for innovation in all we do.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
A standout moment in my career has been the growth and development of my team at CHEC. Initially, I managed a single team member, but that number has since expanded to four, with plans for further expansion. Over 2 years, we’ve transitioned from a lack of clear structure and planning to implementing robust strategies and project plans. Our teamwork is great, fostering collaboration across all departments within the business. My passion lies in engaging with every aspect of the marketing mix. This includes everything from orchestrating email campaigns and managing CRM systems, to producing compelling copy, steering social media strategies, coordinating significant industry events, influencing branding, and contributing to design decisions.
- What’s the biggest business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
Never allow anyone to dull your sparkle and trust your gut instinct.
- What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?
If a task or idea lacks purpose, it’s unlikely to find success or necessity.
