Veterans handyman business marches towards success
A handyman service which employs ex-Forces veterans has received a £250k commercial finance facility from Bibby Financial Services.
Heroes4Hire Handymen (H4H-H) was launched by ex-RAF serviceman and CEO, Nigel Blanchard, in April 2017 to utilise the skills, work ethic and employability of those who have served in the Armed Forces.
Operating from its headquarters in Warrington, the business plans to immediately expand into two further locations – the South East and the South West – and is looking to offer its services to the rest of the UK through remote working.
Due to its focus in supporting those that have served in the UK’s Armed Forces, the company has gained widespread public praise and appreciation.
H4H-H aims to build its workforce to 108 fully-trained veterans by December 2017, and has a long-term goal to employ 1,000 veterans within four years.
With sales growing exponentially, the business needed funding to facilitate day-to-day operational expenses. H4H-H chose BFS as its funding partner of choice because of its considerable experience in the construction sector and speed of response.
BFS’s commercial finance team were able to provide a £250k funding line to support the business’s ongoing cashflow requirements.
Nigel Blanchard, CEO, Heroes 4 Hire Handymen explained:
“H4H-H is one of the UK’s first companies to proactively focus on training and employing ex-forces personnel, and we’re extremely pleased to have BFS on board as our funding partner.
“As an ex-RAF veteran myself, I have first-hand experience of the challenges that come with returning back from active duty. We’re a lot more than just a business, we also provide transitional assistance when adjusting back to domestic life, offering direction, focus and stability to our staff.
“Ex-forces staff have an excellent work ethic and desire to learn, which is evident in the level of growth our company has experienced in just four months. Commercially, our business model has been a huge success so far. Now, we have plans to recruit significantly more veterans in the coming years, and we’re also looking to expand our product offering with full property maintenance services.
“BFS were able to offer the flexibility and construction sector experience we need in order to ensure that our business can continue to flourish. We look forward to working with BFS further as our business grows.”
Vinnie Dobie, business development manager at Bibby Financial Services commented:
“Heroes4Hire Handymen is a truly unique and ethical business that combines the support of ex-servicemen and women through training programmes and a variety of high quality maintenance services.
“Their business model is one-of-a-kind, and we’re delighted to support their growth. It’s incredible to think that the business was only launched in April 2017.
“Now that H4H-H has funding in place, they’re no longer limited by cashflow restrictions and we look forward to seeing continued growth and successes in the future.”
