Sanjay Vadhera's journey to becoming the owner of Right at Home Ealing & Hounslow is a testament to the impact of values-driven leadership, community integration, and the strength of a supportive franchise network. His background, energy, and community focus make his story a compelling example for anyone considering investing in a homecare franchise.

Before joining Right at Home, Sanjay had spent his entire career in finance, qualifying as a chartered accountant and working in a range of high-profile roles. He held positions at small-to-medium-sized businesses and global organisations like GlaxoSmithKline. A turning point came when he became involved in major infrastructure projects, including managing finances for the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5.

His work evolved from financial reporting to project leadership, leading to roles at Ofgem and British Transport Police. But as COVID-19 hit in 2020, Sanjay's priorities shifted. Already a trustee of the charity Sewa Day, he threw himself into volunteer work during the pandemic, organising the delivery of thousands of hot meals to NHS staff across West London.

"We were running three kitchens at the same time," he says. "3,500 hot meals a day. Logistics, food prep, deliveries, everything."

Finding Purpose Through Homecare

It was this experience that solidified Sanjay's desire to pursue a more meaningful career.

"The mindset of selfless help stuck with me," he explains. "But I still had a mortgage and bills to pay. I wanted to find something that allowed me to help people, but also make a living."

A conversation with another Right at Home franchise owner, also an accountant, led him to consider homecare.

"I didn’t know much about the sector, and I thought I'd need to buy a care home. But when I learned about domiciliary care and what Right at Home offered, it clicked. I passed the interview with Lucy and Kate, then ended up taking on a resale business in my local area. The rest is history."

Sanjay took over the Right at Home Ealing & Hounslow franchise in 2023 and immediately set to work learning the ropes.

"I've never owned a business before," he admits, "but I do know how to lead and manage teams. For the first six months, I just listened and absorbed everything."

Leading with Values and Culture

His approach was grounded in his values and informed by his charity work. From the start, Sanjay placed a strong emphasis on creating a positive culture for his team.

"We don't just offer training, we invest time and effort into helping Carers grow. We encourage them to go to dementia cafés, get involved with Alzheimer’s Society training, and think outside the box to look at creative ways to engage with Clients. I even considered buying a portable cinema screen so Clients could have movie nights at home."

One of the most impactful decisions Sanjay made early on was to nurture talent from within.

"Our Care Coordinator was more talented than we realised. She expressed an interest in becoming a Registered Manager, so we supported her to complete her Level 3 qualification, and now she’s working towards her Level 5. I want her to step into that role, and we’re already preparing the structure around her to make that possible. She’s hungry to learn, passionate about the job, and we’re making sure she has the right opportunities to grow into the RM role confidently."

Building a Strong, Supportive Team

Balancing this development has meant adapting other roles in the team.

"My Registered Manager, Helena, has been with the business for three years, and she’s now winding down. She’s shifting into more community outreach, which she really enjoys. We’ve structured the team so she can do what she loves, while creating a clear path for our Care Coordinator to step up. I want to keep Helena involved because her experience is invaluable, just in a way that suits her current lifestyle. It’s about managing the needs and strengths of both."

Franchise and Peer Support

Support from the franchise network was also crucial during Sanjay’s first year. Just six months into ownership, the office underwent a CQC inspection.

"I’d barely found my feet, and then we had an inspection," Sanjay recalls. "Tyler from the compliance team came into the office and worked side by side with us. He was absolutely spectacular. He helped put our office in a really good place and got us through it."

Although Right at Home Ealing & Hounslow is a locally owned and operated business, it benefits from being part of a respected national brand with a proven model. Sanjay has access to expert guidance in compliance, operations, recruitment, marketing, and more – helping him avoid common pitfalls and accelerate growth.

"Marketing was my biggest weakness," he admits. "The new Marketing team have been brilliant. They're proactive, responsive, and they give advice that actually works. They helped me get my local pages visible and supported me with social media, as well as working alongside my external marketing agency. Our Facebook and Instagram are now genuinely active, and we're even starting to look at LinkedIn and TikTok."

Just as valuable has been the peer support from fellow franchise owners.

"The network is incredibly collaborative. You can pick up the phone to anyone – whether they've been in the business for a year or ten – and they'll share advice, tools, and even documents. There's a genuine willingness to help each other succeed, and that’s made a huge difference for me in my first year."

Client and Carer Matching with Care

That spirit of innovation and compassion runs throughout his business. Sanjay takes pride in matching Carers and Clients based not only on practical needs, but personality and culture. At Right at Home, every Client is treated as an individual, and matching goes far beyond availability or geography. We consider lifestyle, personality, language, culture, and interests to help foster genuine companionship and trust.

"We ask Clients what an ideal Carer would be like. For many in West London’s Asian communities, that means someone who understands their culture or speaks their language. It’s about respect. If someone has a prayer space in their home, for example, our Carers know how to approach it with sensitivity."

Community Engagement and Local Partnerships

This level of detail and care has helped Right at Home Ealing & Hounslow build a reputation for excellence. Sanjay reports that many of his Carers have joined from other providers, drawn by the supportive environment and opportunities for development.

"We don’t over-recruit. We make sure the Carers we have get enough hours and are well looked after. That’s rare in this industry."

The results speak for themselves. Since taking over the business, Sanjay has seen a huge improvement in visibility and reputation.

"Our homecare.co.uk rating went from 8.9 to 10. We’re getting more Client referrals and better Carer applications."

Much of this success is rooted in Sanjay’s deep involvement with the local community. As Chair of the Hounslow Alzheimer’s Society, he’s become a familiar face at local events, support groups, and council meetings. Right at Home Ealing & Hounslow now hosts dementia cafés at multiple venues, including Chiswick Cinema and St Leonard's Church in Heston.

"Being out in the community has changed everything. When people think about homecare in West London, they think of us."

Sanjay is also forging partnerships with local pharmacies, opticians, and health organisations to ensure Clients have access to trusted services.

"One of the best connections I made was through my father’s hearing appointment. That led to a great relationship and lots of Client referrals. We support each other."

Looking Ahead with Ambition

Sanjay is open about the challenges too.

"People think care is easy money because of the ageing population. But Clients pass away, and you have to start again. Even Carers can become Clients. There’s a constant balance between recruitment and service delivery. And council processes and red tape can be frustrating."

Despite this, his optimism and strategic thinking shine through. He’s actively planning for growth and succession, upskilling his Care Coordinator to become a future Registered Manager, and working with the current RM to take on more community outreach.

"We all sit around the table to solve problems together. There’s a healthy tension between commercial, compliance and care. That’s what makes it work."

Looking ahead, Sanjay is targeting £1.1 million in turnover and a 30% increase in Clients over the next two years.

"We’re going to grow organically and by deepening the services we offer existing Clients. There are parts of our territory we haven’t even touched yet."

He also has ambitions to pursue an Outstanding rating from the CQC.

"I'm the kind of person who wants to invite the inspector over. But first, I want to make sure we’re genuinely ready. That’s where National Office support is so important."

Final Advice for Future Franchisees

For anyone considering joining the Right at Home franchise network, Sanjay has some simple but heartfelt advice:

"Be prepared to graft. It’s hard work, but if you care about people, the rewards are huge. You’re never alone – National Office are there for you, and the other franchise owners are incredible. Everyone helps each other."

He adds:

"There’s no magic wand in marketing. You have to try everything and see what works in your patch. But if you’re driven, and you lead with values, Right at Home gives you all the tools you need."

Above all, Sanjay values the sense of purpose that Right at Home has brought to his life.

"It means everything. Even if I don’t make millions, I go home every day knowing I’ve made a difference. That feeling is second to none."

If Sanjay's story resonates with you then please get in touch  so that we can have a conversation about your situation and look at opportunities in your area.