Oxfordshire financial adviser adds acupuncture to his professional achievements

By switching to a new career in acupuncture, financial expert Des Le Roy is planning to reduce his own stress levels, along with those of his clients. It may be quite a change of activity for Des, but there is one common factor for him – he is running run both practices out of Howbery Business Park.

Des launched his acupuncture business on 4 July, welcoming his first patients in a treatment room at Lifestyles Rehab, Gym and Performance Centre (following Covid19 secure guidelines). While building up his new practice, Des plans to continue heading up his insolvency advice firm, Elliot Johnson. After three to four years, he will hand over the reins of the company, which is based in Howbery’s converted Stables building, to his son. 

“My current area of work is very stressful – advising clients who can no longer pay their creditors – so when I first started the degree in acupuncture four years ago, I wondered if it could possibly be an alternative career,” explains Des. “I had become fascinated with acupuncture while receiving it myself. My interest grew during the course at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading, and now I am certain I wish to pursue it as a career. 

“Acupuncture businesses have been closed during lockdown, but re-opened on 4 July. The west is gradually becoming more interested in acupuncture as a way of treating mental and physical wellbeing and as a means of support to conventional medical treatment, so I hope there will be no shortage of clients.” 

Des is also expecting Elliot Johnson to be busy once the government sets out a roadmap for businesses to exit lockdown. During the pandemic, employees have been on furlough, as Des believed it was difficult to give meaningful advice in uncertain times. Elliott Johnson has grown from one employee to six since Des set it up in  2011. He initially had an office in Howbery’s Innovation Centre and moved into the larger Stables block in December 2018. 

Donna Bowles, Estates Manager at Howbery Business Park, said: “We are so pleased that Des is choosing to run his new practice from here, collaborating with Lifestyles Gym. It’s always a joy to hear that our community is working together. We are also delighted to hear Des’s son will be taking the helm at Elliot Johnson.”