Turning setback into opportunity

Redundancy from Tata Steel in Rotherham in March gave him the push he needed and C Bradshaws Painting & Decorating was the result.

He set up the firm, based in Rawmarsh, Rotherham, with a £500 grant from the UK Steel Enterprise Kickstart Fund which paid for tools and equipment.

He also received advice and guidance from Martyn Benson at Rotherham Investment and Development Office, having attended advice workshops for those leaving Tata Steel.

Callum, who worked at Tata for 16 years, said: “Anyone subjected to redundancy will inevitably go through a transition period – wondering what to do next, considering their options and debating how to move forward.

“It can be tough!

“When it happened to me I decided to look to the future and work towards achieving my life-long goal of setting up my own business.

“Needless to say it’s been a busy but rewarding few months and I am looking forward to the future.”

Keith Williams, regional manager at UK Steel Enterprise, the investment and regeneration arm of Tata Steel, said: “We appreciate the huge part that small businesses play in the local economy so we were delighted to be able to offer our support to them through the Kickstart Fund.

“After launching the initiative earlier in the year, it’s great to now be able to see so many businesses benefiting from it and we are looking forward to watching them expand and develop in the future.”