David Balen

Biographical Information

"David is the Managing Director and Spearhead of Balens. An advisor to Professional Bodies on Insurance and Practice Management Issues, he lectures widely and regularly writes articles for journals. David is a third-generation Insurance Broker and Advisor, his Grandfather and Mother ran a successful Brokerage in the West End of London for many years. David later joined the family business in 1970 after debating for some time whether to become a Health Professional himself. Balens (then known as H & L Balen and Co) was started by his parents in 1950. David joined in 1970 and by 1981 he had risen to the proprietorship of the Company. He has always retained a keen interest and involvement in Health Matters and has a wealth of knowledge in this area. David has connections with many different health professional organisations and executives and keeps abreast of the latest developments, often acting as an adviser to them.

"David holds the Financial Planning Certificate (FPC) and the Mortgage Advice Qualification Certificate (MAQ). He is an NVQ Assessor and a visiting lecturer at a number of University Courses including at Oxford Brookes University, and the College of Osteopaths at Middlesex University, where he teaches Practice Management. David lectures widely at a number of other establishments and organisations and writes articles regularly on all aspects of Practice Management, including Professionalism and Ethics.

"After spending a few years in the sixties as a Musician, David trained and spent 7 years as a Yoga Teacher. He still records and plays regular engagements with his progressive Jazz band, Interplay. David trained as a Healer in the 1970's and is currently Chairman of the Trustees of the College of Healing, an Educational Based Charity. He is regularly involved with the Policy Making Group of the Self Regulatory Body, UK Healers, is a Trustee of the Confederation of Healing Organisations with his wife, also a Healer, Therapist and Teacher, and is a Trustee of the British Holistic Medical Association, a well respected organisation which supports and promotes whole person approaches in Orthodox Medicine."