May the Forces be with you on Civvy Street . . .
FORMER members of the Armed Forces can transfer to life on Civvy Street with a franchise.
Graham Orange, 46, started a business coaching franchise with ActionCOACH after leaving his job as a chief technician with the RAF.
He says: ‘After 25 years as an engineer working on battlefield helicopters and fast jets, I wanted control of my own destiny.
‘I felt that ActionCOACH offered financial freedom and control over my time, plus a structure similar to being in the Forces.’
Graham started the business in 2015 and a year later won the Nationwide Resettlement Award for Service Leaver Franchisee of the Year.
‘The support from ActionCOACH was very good, as they have integrated the knowledge gained from other Forces leavers in the network,’ Graham says.
‘It is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but now I am around for family occasions and I earn three times my RAF salary.’
Ian Christelow, co- founder of ActionCOACH, says: ‘ We target services leavers, usually officer level and above, because their leadership experience transfers into their local business community.
‘They are good at communication, getting the best out of individuals and following processes.’ The franchise costs £21,000.
Jay Belham, 37, bought a franchise with Revive!, offering mobile vehicle repairs, when he left the Army after 12 years. He now employs eight people and runs a fleet of six vans supplying repairs to bodywork paint as well as alloy wheels.
Jay says: ‘I was a vehicle mechanic in the Royal electrical and mechanical engineers and then transferred to the Army Physical Training Corps, where I helped rehabilitate injured soldiers.
‘The technical and interpersonal skills I learned, combined with support from Revive!, helped me build up a successful business.’
mark Llewellyn, managing director of Revive!, says: ‘The discipline and structure of a Forces background is an excellent starting point for becoming a successful Revive! franchisee.’ The cost is £23,500. Property inventory management franchise No Letting Go and cleaning and restoration franchise Servicemaster are among many other franchises that welcome Forces leavers. ActionCOACH 01284 701 648, Revive! 01788 569 999.