GUEST COMMENT: I was a banker, I now work in medicine

Only two years ago, I was working in the City as a vice president in equity research. It was the culmination of a 7 year career in which I worked at both Citigroup and JPMorgan.

However, as time progressed, I became increasingly concerned about the direction the industry was taking. I believed there was unsustainable growth in the equity and property markets. Some aspects of the credit markets were being moved into my world. I was very much concerned about the complexities of the debt instruments and an apparent lack of understanding of them from compliance. At some point I felt there was bound to be a correction.

Through what I like think was a mixture of good fortune and luck, I decided that the time had come to get out of banking and try something else.

I initially took some time out to reacquaint myself with my children when my wife (a hospital consultant) spotted an advert in the Sunday Times Appointments. After much rapid research on the NHS and Primary Care, my application and CV resulted in a interview.

I successfully progressed through the first interview stage which included a presentation on the introduction of a competitive market into the NHS and questions from the Practice Management team including 2 senior doctors. A second more detailed interview, including a grilling by 14 doctors, concluded in an offer being made.

I now run one of the largest GP Groups in the UK

As a result, I am now a director of Priory Medical Group Limited, and responsible for running one of the largest GP Groups in the UK.

Our primary business is with the NHS, providing a broad variety of clinical activities to our customers - the patients. We also provide medical services outside of the NHS to prisons, private schools and other organisations.

There are definite similarities between what I do now and running a team of equity researchers in an investment bank. Ideas have to be "sold", strategic plans have to be formulated and communicated, and business development opportunities have to be explored. There is a continual challenge to operate more cost effectively.

Like banking, the healthcare industry is heavily regulated, which brings its own issues. In some ways the pressure in medicine is greater given that there can be, quite literally, a life on the line.

Also like banking, medicine - and especially General Practice - are increasingly underpinned by technology. Using smart technology we have instant access to medical records at any of our locations. We have become increasingly "paperless" relying on standard e-mail and office software to communicate both within and outside the business.

And just as banks need equity research analysts to spend their time interacting with clients, investigating companies and promoting their ideas, we want our doctors focussed on patients, keeping up-to-date with the latest medical developments and guidelines, and helping to develop new, smarter ways to deliver our service.

I have absolutely no regrets

I have absolutely no regrets about changing industry, and with all that has happened over the last 24 months I'm pleased I did so. Whilst healthcare is not immune from the vagaries of the general economy, it is to a large degree sheltered. The performance of the FTSE or Dow Jones no longer affects my income and I have far greater control over the organisation as a whole.

However, the best thing about my new role is that I am able to achieve a far better work/life balance. I am probably no less busy and continue to work long hours just as I did before. However that is of my own volition rather than being expected of me in an organisation that has a culture of long hours and performance management. If I choose to go in late or finish early so that I can attend a school play or a birthday party that is perfectly acceptable.