Member Article

Bright future for new business start up

A North East businessman is helping to create a bright future for some of Sunderland’s young electrical apprentices thanks to his own success as a budding entrepreneur.

Gavin Richardson started his career as an apprentice electrician and set up his electrical services company Opus Electrical Ltd in 2006. His success in the industry, which included winning a national apprentice award in 1997, fired Gavin’s ambitions to become his own boss. Opus Electrical now competes with the region’s top electrical service suppliers and currently boasts a team of 17 employees, including four apprentices.

Gavin said: “Over recent years Sunderland’s industry has suffered due to a lack of skilled workers – I’d like to re-address the balance and provide young apprentices with the same chance as I had to train and grow within an expanding company. “Opus Electrical would not have progressed as quickly as we have in a short period of time if we hadn’t sought help from the BIC and taken advantage of the wealth of business support and tailored advice they provide.”

The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) was on hand to provide Gavin and business partner Ian King with expert advice and support, including a small business set up grant and funding towards step change software.

Business advisor Alan Gillis added: “Taking the first steps into starting your own business can be a difficult and often scary time. “Our aim is to encourage and support businesses and individuals to turn ambitions and ideas into a reality, putting them on the road to a bright future within the North East’s ever expanding business community.”

For more information on starting up your own business and the support available, please contact the BIC on 0191 516 6200 or visit www.ne-bic.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .