Member Article

Buisiness Boom for Birmingham Gas Company

BUSINESS is booming for a gas-fitting grandad, five years after he beat cancer.

Michael Rickard, 62, a former breakdown engineer with energy efficiency company Eaga, had just set up his own gas fitting company in Birmingham, when doctors diagnosed him with cancer of the kidney.

But, five years on, not only is he in remission from the illness, but his business, MPS Heating Ltd, is going from strength to strength – with help from a Trust set up by his former employer.

The eaga Trust was formed to promote employment, employee ownership and engagement in the workplace and offers support to those, who, like Michael, worked for Eaga from 11 January 2000 until 21 April 2011, when it was acquired by Carillion plc.

The Trust offers its members financial support to set up their own, employee-owned businesses. Once Michael was on the road to recovery, he was able to apply for a Business funding loan through the Trust, enabling him to build his business and sub-contract work to two fellow former Eaga employees and Trust members, Andy Foyle and Clive Weaver.

The three members are now accessing funding available through the eaga Trust’s Skill-builder fund to gain the qualifications they need to carry out commercial, along with domestic gas installations.

“We currently carry out a sizeable amount of domestic work,” said Michael, “but this extra, commercial qualification will massively increase business and enable us to expand.

“I recently became a BAXI accredited installer and this will be a marvellous opportunity for my sub-contractors and me to develop and take our business nationwide.

“In many ways, even though I had cancer, I consider myself to have been very lucky. Luckily the cancer was caught early and dealt with quickly and I’m lucky to have had such support and help in building my business.

“I can’t fault the help – both practical and financial – I’ve had from the eaga Trust; they’ve been marvellous.”

Richard Marr, Chief Operating Officer at the eaga Trust, said: “Michael deserves every contract that comes his way and we are delighted to be able to support not only him but also Andy and Clive, who are also Trust members.”

To contact MPS Heating Ltd ring 07985 411976 and anyone who thinks they may be eligible for Trust membership should register at www.eagatrust.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellie Murdoch .