SECTOR FOCUS: SKILLS
Fire firm started from a spark A
newly-established fire safety business has not only moved offices, but is hoping to recruit at least one apprentice.
The business is Fire Safety Managers Ltd,
which is based in the Big Peg in the Jewellery Quarter. The business was set up by Paul Hughes after he was made redundant from his job as a sales manager for a fire protection company. With the help of his partner and fellow
director Stephen Bennett, Paul set up the business in his home last May, but moved to the Big Peg in October.
‘Working with the Skills Hub, we have quickly identified a need that can be fulfilled by a young apprentice’
As part of the company’s bid to expand, Paul has been accepted by the Entrepreneurial Spark, which is a ‘business accelerator’ which gives new and growing ventures a helping hand for up to 18 months. A start-up loan of £15,000 helped get the
business off the ground in April, and it wasn’t long before the company secured its first orders. Paul said: “2016 is going to be a very busy
year with plenty of plans to take the business forward. After focusing all my efforts into starting an apprentice in January, I will be fully focusing on the Entrepreneurial Spark programme to gain my industry accreditations.”
Among those helping Paul is David Tomalin,
the Chamber’s Skills Hub manager and a mentor at Entrepreneurial Spark, where he puts his sales experience and skills to good use. “I welcome the news that Fire Safety Managers are not only successful in accessing the Entrepreneurial Spark programme in order to help springboard their business to growth, but have also decided to go ahead with an apprentice in order to help support that growth. “Working with the Skills Hub, we have quickly
identified a need that can be fulfilled by a young apprentice and we are working now, with our partners in Further Education, to locate the right candidate for this company. “Businesses, where eligible, can take
advantage of possible national and local grant funding, where available, to support taking on a young apprentice which is a welcome boost. I am sure that we will find the right young person to fit into Fire Safety Managers as they embark upon their plan for growth.”
Fired up: Paul Hughes with David Tomalin (right)
FEBRUARY 2016 CHAMBERLINK 57
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