14 Nov 2025
10 Years of Expert Knowledge: Meet Leanne Smith, Speed Medical’s Head of Supply
Behind every instruction sits a team dedicated to making sure solicitors have access to the very best clinical expertise.
At Speed Medical, that responsibility is led by Leanne Smith, Head of Supply, who oversees our diverse nationwide panel of medical experts and has recently celebrated her 10 year anniversary at handl Group!
With a sharp focus on quality, breadth of coverage, and clinical compliance, Leanne ensures that every case – from clinical negligence to personal and serious injury – is matched with the right expert.
In this interview, we go behind the scenes to learn more about the role she plays in supporting legal professionals and shaping the expert network that underpins our service.
What first drew you to the medico-legal sector?
"Funnily enough, I got into this industry by complete accident!
At 19 years old I obviously believed that I knew best and therefore dropped out of my Sport Science degree… reality soon hit, and I realised I needed a job – sharpish!
My friend happened to work for a law firm and managed to secure me an interview for a paralegal role in their new claims department for which I was successful.
I really enjoyed speaking to clients and hearing their different stories. I enjoyed submitting their case details through to the third-party insurers to try and secure them a liability admission and helping them on their way to achieve some form of justice for their pain and suffering. I soon began to thrive in the role and after only 6 months I was made supervisor of the RTA new claims department.
It was an exciting time in the industry as we were moving away from faxing claims details and towards to the exciting world of online portals! Haha!
I enjoyed getting involved in the development of innovative, tech-powered workflows, learning and understanding new systems and delivering training to all team members.
I then moved over to the ELPL team before joining the ‘Stage 2’ Team as a fee earner where I handled my own case load of liability admitted cases. This gave me exposure to the court process and a more in-depth understanding of the claim process."
How has your career journey shaped your role at Speed Medical?
"I was very familiar with Speed and their production of high-quality medical reports as I had worked closely with them in my previous role as a fee earner.
I was also aware that they were conveniently based in my hometown of Chorley! So, when looking for my next career move it made sense to look there.
At the time, Speed wasn’t looking to fill a role that fit my skillset – but, of course, that didn’t stop me! With my “don’t ask, don’t get” attitude in tow I sent my CV over to the Operations Manager, Susan Henry, and crossed my fingers, waiting to see what would come of it. Surprisingly, I got a call one afternoon asking if I would like to come in for an interview with Susan for a new PA role (which I got!)
This was a role that I thoroughly enjoyed. I learnt so much from Susan, she was a true mentor in every sense of the word. She gave me the skills to really push myself out of my comfort zone, manage people effectively – encouraging them to achieve their best. Hopefully, in return, she had a few decent brews from me!
I then progressed to work with other handl Group businesses; as Practice Manager for Advanced Adult Care Assessment and Operations Director at Harrison Associates. Working across different Expert disciplinary has afforded me invaluable insight and unlimited opportunities to draw on my experience and ultimately implement impactful change here at Speed Medical."
What’s your focus as Head of Supply?
"As Head of Supply, I’m balancing multiple business goals, but one area I’m especially passionate about is giving back to our expert panel. Being part of Speed Medical should offer more than just case instructions – it should open doors.
My team and I are focused on creating meaningful interactions with our panel. This includes our newly developed in-house clinical negligence training, which keeps experts up to date on legal processes, and offering clinical and legal guidance whenever needed. It’s all about building a supportive, collaborative environment."
What makes building a strong expert panel so important for solicitors and clients?
"For anyone in the industry, the answer is obvious – but as Head of Supply, it’s more than an answer – it’s a key priority. Securing the right expert for a case is crucial to achieving the right outcome for the client. That’s why we ensure our panel includes highly experienced clinicians across a wide range of specialisms.
My team and I work continuously to maintain high standards and adapt to the evolving claims landscape. A robust, diverse panel means solicitors and clients can always access the most appropriate expert, no matter the case circumstances."
What excites you most about the future of Speed Medical?
"Well, anyone who knows me knows that when I believe in something… I won’t stop until I make it happen and, this role has absolutely sparked that energy! In just five months, I’ve gained a deep understanding of our panel’s needs and have so many exciting ideas to launch.
We’ve already introduced new initiatives to support expert development, expanded our Clinical Advisory Board with the addition of a serious injury lawyer for dual insight, and are leveraging partnerships within the handl Group to add even more value to our clients’ cases.
I’m thrilled to be back at Speed Medical with the opportunity to make a real impact. I won’t give too much away just yet – but let’s just say, exciting things are coming… watch this space!"
For more information, please visit www.speedmedical.com, contact our team via email at info@speedmedical.com or call us directly on 0330 094 8749.
