Nathan Benjamin-Smith
Meet Nathan Benjamin-Smith clinician, founder, and advocate for better injury care. His journey began at Herts, where a teenage injury turned curiosity into passion, and that passion into a thriving career.
| Current job role | Business owner of NBS Injury Clinic Ltd |
|---|---|
| Year of graduation | 2017 |
| Course of study |
From his first anatomy lecture at the 91¿´Æ¬ to running one of Oxfordshire’s top-rated clinics, Nathan Benjamin-Smith has built a career grounded in care, expertise, and community. As the founder of NBS Injury Clinic Ltd in Bicester, Nathan combines hands-on therapy with cutting-edge rehabilitation techniques, helping people of all ages recover from injuries and lead healthier, more active lives.
Now a respected clinician and business owner, Nathan’s work blends physiotherapy, sports therapy, osteopathy, gait analysis, and strength and conditioning, offering a fully integrated, evidence-based approach to injury management. His clinic has earned a strong reputation across the local health and fitness community.
From Herts to healthcare entrepreneur
Nathan credits the 91¿´Æ¬ for providing the foundation and real-world experience that helped launch his career. 'Herts played a huge role in shaping both my clinical approach and providing the opportunities to build a career in the health and fitness industry. The course gave me a solid foundation in anatomy, physiology, and injury management, while also encouraging hands-on learning and practice within the university clinic and with the UH Basketball team. The lecturers were incredibly supportive and brought real-world insight into the learning.’
A major turning point occurred during his sandwich placement year, when he took on a full-time role with MK Dons Football Club. ‘One of the most valuable parts of the course was the sandwich placement year, which allowed me to work full-time with MK Dons Football Club. That year of hands-on experience not only developed my clinical and professional skills but also led directly to a full-time role with the club after graduation.’
Why Herts was the right choice
Nathan chose to study Sports Therapy after suffering a serious knee injury as a teenager, an experience that introduced him to the world of rehab and sparked a long-term interest in health and performance. ‘I chose Herts because it had a strong reputation for Sports Therapy and came highly recommended. The course being accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists gave me confidence that it would meet professional standards and open real career opportunities. My time at Herts was just a whirlwind of good times, both personally and professionally. It was a chapter of life that genuinely shaped who I am today and laid the foundation for everything I’ve done since.’
He also praises the supportive academic staff and the welcoming atmosphere from his very first visit. ‘When I attended the open day, I was impressed with the campus, the facilities, and how welcoming the staff were.’
Words of advice
Nathan’s advice to future students is clear ‘Say yes to everything. Push yourself outside your comfort zone – that’s where the real learning happens. Do a placement year! It was the single best decision I made and opened so many doors after graduation.’ A final practical tip? ‘Start using Mendeley early! Trust me, it’ll save you a ton of stress.’ He adds, ‘Make the most of your time at Herts! Join sports teams, go out! Enjoy it – it really does fly by.’