Mark Prisk MP meets young Armed Forces leavers to celebrate a year of ‘Be The Boss’ success
16 June 2011
A business start-up scheme for ex-Service personnel, delivered by The Royal British Legion, and funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills celebrated its first year of success, with a visit to the Legion by Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise.
The
Minister met today with Sue Freeth, Director of
Health and Welfare, and staff working to roll out the
service. He also met with Service-leaver Barry
O'Connell. 32 year-old Barry, ex-Royal Marine Physical Trainer who
also did a recent tour of Afghanistan, has been awarded £25,000 to
start up his own fitness studio in London. He left the Armed Forces
in May 2011 and is due to open his business in Hammersmith in the
coming weeks. He said:
"The scheme is amazing for guys like me - I've been given such a great opportunity to utilise the skills I took with me when I left the Royal Marines. I hope others leaving the Forces can benefit from the programme as I have."
The 'Be The Boss' scheme, designed for those who have left the Armed Forces since the beginning of the war in Afghanistan in 2001, offers business start-up training, grants and loans up to £30,000, as well as on-going mentoring. Financial support depends upon a business plan and demonstrable needs. It has just passed the 1,000 mark in terms of take-up. Three quarters of those are under the age of 40.
The scheme is delivered by The Royal British Legion and partner agencies, and funded by a £5 million grant from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. It is part of the Legion's re-settlement programme for service-leavers - Civvy Street (www.civvystreet.org).
Sue Freeth, Director of Health and Welfare at the Legion
said:
"Returning to civilian life can be a daunting prospect for those
men and women leaving the Armed Forces, especially when it comes to
finding employment.
"The Legion offers guidance to Service leavers through its Civvy Street website, and Be The Boss is an extension of this successful initiative, only this is unique in that it helps people to start up their own businesses- something there is obvious demand for.
"We are delighted to be celebrating a successful year of the Be The Boss scheme."
Mark Prisk MP said:
"The Be the Boss scheme is a fantastic programme which provides valuable business support for ex-Service personnel. I am delighted to celebrate the one year anniversary of Be the Boss and meet Service leavers who have used the programme to successfully start their own businesses.
"The skills that Service personnel can bring to setting out in business are a great asset to the UK and it is important that they have every chance to start their own firm. Initiatives like Be the Boss celebrate and help grow our national entrepreneurial spirit, which will play a crucial role in driving out return to long-term economic growth."
For press enquiries, please contact:
Jenny Keeling, PR Officer, The Royal British Legion
E: jkeeling@britishlegion.org.uk
T: 0203 207 2238
James Platt, Press Officer, Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills
E: james.platt@bis.gsi.gov.uk
T: 020 7215 5978.
