Just a year after launching his own business, Plymouth
architectural technologist Ed Millward has landed a major contract
to design and oversee a building project in the Seychelles.
Ed was made redundant in the height of the recession and
launched Plymouth Architectural Design soon after – with help from
employment and skills experts Working Links.
Plymouth Architectural Design is latest success story emanating
from Working Links’ Enterprise Coaching programme in the city.
Since the Enterprise Coaching programme, funded through the
South West European Regional Development Fund and Plymouth City
Council, started in June 2010 it’s helped more than 500 people look
at starting up businesses in Plymouth and the surrounding area.
After a brief spell in accountancy following school, Ed, 31,
graduated from University of Wales with a first class degree in
Architectural Design Technology in 2006 and swiftly landed top jobs
in his chosen field.
But disaster struck when he was made redundant in the economic
downturn and he didn’t know which way to turn.
Ed, who lives in Laira with his wife and two daughters, said: “I
started looking for employment during the darkest hours of the
recession, only to find that work was right under my nose all the
time - I just had to take the initiative to turn people's desires
into drawings and ultimately, money.”
Ed got in touch with the Working Links to see if they could help
and was taken under the wing of enterprise consultant Neil
Davey.
Ed added: “This is where Neil at Working Links came in - he
helped me set up the preliminary structure of the business, focus
the direction of my target clients and plan business presence.
“Neil helped me realise that I am capable of running my own
company, being self employed and tending to the needs of clients
directly. Before meeting with Neil, I had reservations about going
self employed and running my own business. He helped in putting
together a business plan and implementing it effectively. I
couldn't have done it without his help.”
Neil Davey said: “Ed has worked hard to get where he is and has
come a long way from the time I first met him in terms of
confidence and outlook. He has proved very adept at negotiation,
something he had many reservations about initially.”
Ed has just completed a major project in Mutley, redesigning
three Georgian terrace flats that were damaged by fire for Amber
Health and Beauty and has just been commissioned to design and
oversee the building of 11 apartments in the Seychelles.
On the new work, Ed said: “It’s a great project to work on. The
apartments will be for a mix of local residents, holiday lets and a
penthouse apartment for the owner as well as shared garage and
laundry services to complete the buildings.
“The business is doing really well and definitely progressing
towards taking on larger contracts and potentially taking on
employees.”
To find out more about how Working Links helps communities
please contact us
or call 0800 917 9262.