Member Article

23 year old ex-Super League Huddersfield player drops sport for startup

A former Super League player has left the sport behind to start-up and build his own business with support from the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency.

23-year old Elliot Hodgson lives in Halifax and was a full-back with the Huddersfield Giants before choosing to end his contract and take a pay out which allowed him to train in plumbing and heating.

In February last year, he started on the New Enterprise Allowance scheme which gives those out of work the opportunity to get support to start their own business.

Elliot worked with a business mentor to develop his plan for Hodgson Plumbing and Heating. He set up the firm with the Enterprise Agency’s support and said: “It was a bit slow in the first six months and I only had one or two days’ work but the New Enterprise Allowance I received really kept my business going and things are now really positive.

“I now have work every day and I’m booked up for a few months. I have even had to start sub-contracting odd bits of work because I’m too busy to do it myself.”

Andrew Choi, from the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency, said: “Elliot’s journey with the West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency is a great example of the opportunity that that the New Enterprise Allowance gives to those looking to start their own business.

“Our mentors provide invaluable support to people like Elliot in helping them through what can be the difficult process of starting up and then growing a sustainable company.

“Elliot’s firm, Hodgson Plumbing and Heating, is already doing well and we will be backing him to have even greater success in the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .