For anyone exploring franchising, a key question is: how will I attract customers and grow my business?

Helping franchise partners answer that question is central to Lee Doran’s role as National Business Development Manager at Concept Claim Solutions.

Since joining in November 2024, Lee has combined his experience in professional rugby, coaching and business ownership to help franchise partners develop opportunities in their local territories. His approach starts with understanding their strengths, ambitions and reasons for becoming their own boss.

From Wigan to the World Stage

Raised in Wigan, Lee’s early passion for sport developed into a professional rugby league career spanning more than 16 years. He played for Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Widnes Vikings, Leigh and Whitehaven, earning Rochdale Hornets’ Player of the Year award in 2005.

His career also took him onto the world stage. Lee became Ireland’s most capped rugby league player and represented the country at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia.

Competing internationally demanded discipline, preparation and the ability to perform under pressure. It also taught him the importance of teamwork—understanding individual strengths and bringing them together to achieve a shared goal.

After retiring from playing, Lee moved into an assistant coaching role, applying those lessons to helping others develop. Today, that coaching perspective shapes how he works with franchise partners.

Experience of Building a Business

Lee went on to establish an award-winning financial services business, growing its team to 43 staff at its height. After exiting, he worked as a consultant, helping to establish another financial services venture.

Having built a business himself, he understands the decisions that come with ownership: where to focus your efforts, how to develop customer relationships and when to prepare for growth.

Practical Support to Generate Work

Concept Claim Solutions’ business development support includes working alongside franchise partners, demonstrating how to generate claim leads and build relationships with local referral partners.

“I’m passionate about helping franchise partners achieve the goals that brought them into business ownership. My role is to work alongside them, identify opportunities and provide practical support to help them generate work and grow their business. Seeing them reach a

milestone, expand their business or achieve the financial independence they set out for is what makes this role so rewarding.” Lee Doran, National Business Development Manager

Lee’s support sits alongside the wider team’s expertise in training, marketing, insurance and construction. Technical guidance and access to a nationwide contractor network give franchise partners specialist resources to draw on as their workloads grow.

Support That Makes a Difference

For Jane and David, franchise partners in Lincoln, regular contact and Lee’s willingness to help are particularly valuable.

“We cannot thank Lee enough for the exceptional support he provides. His weekly catch-up calls are always immensely helpful and genuinely appreciated. Lee has a fantastic understanding of the business, and nothing is ever too much trouble for him. Having someone of his calibre and dedication in our corner makes a huge difference.”

Jonathan Woods, franchise partner in Hereford, also values the combination of commercial insight and personal support.

“Lee has been an invaluable source of support and guidance throughout our working relationship. He is proactive, reliable, and always makes time to return my calls, no matter how busy he is. “His vast industry experience, commercial knowledge, and ability to identify opportunities make him a fantastic person to work with.”

Beyond the Business: Family, Sport and Travel

Family is at the heart of Lee’s life. He and his wife, Lisa, have been together for 25 years and married for 11, celebrating their wedding in Santorini surrounded by friends and family. Today, they enjoy spending time with their three children and their much-loved dog.

Sport remains a passion, with Lee dedicating time to coaching young amateur boxers. He also enjoys travelling: Australia holds lasting memories from his international rugby career, while Rome is a favourite for a weekend away.

These priorities help him appreciate the personal ambitions behind business ownership. For many franchise partners, success means greater independence and the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Your Ambition, Backed by Experience

As a Concept Claim Solutions franchise partner, you will work as a loss assessor, helping homeowners and businesses settle building insurance claims and project managing the repairs that follow. It is an opportunity to build your own business in a recession-resistant sector while helping people restore their properties and move forward after disasters.

Ready to unlock your potential?

Contact Concept Claim Solutions to explore the franchise opportunity and discover how Lee and the team can support your ambitions.