Originally published by Heropreneurs on 15th November 2012

A military charity which helps former Service personnel get into business has been described by the Head of the UK Armed Forces as offering a vital and dependable service.

Speaking at a meeting in London to celebrate Global Enterprise Week, General Sir David Richards, the Chief of the Defence Staff, said Heropreneurs was a much needed asset and that its importance in the work that it does in supporting and advising veterans, Service leavers and military spouses will only increase in significance.

‘I think what Heropreneurs delivers is of vital necessity to those who will leave the Armed Forces in the future and to those who have left already. I’m extremely grateful for the work it does. People in the Armed Forces are natural risk takers so the world of business is a natural path for them to take.

‘When I leave the army I would be confident that Heropreneurs is an organisation I could call on and become a client.’

Stephen Fear, the British Library’s Entrepreneur in Residence and a patron of Heropreneurs said:

‘Most ex-military people have integrity, energy, passion, leadership skills, adaptability and determination to start up in business.

At Heropreneurs we believe that ex-forces servicemen and women and their spouses are well suited to being business owners and that they will be drawn to an organisation who they trust, who understands their background, their strengths, has a strong business network and a good understanding of commercial matters which will help compensate for any weaknesses in this area.’

Richard Morris, founder and CEO of Heropreneurs said:

‘The numbers of highly skilled UK personnel is set to rise significantly following the Strategic Defence and Security Review, when the annual figure of 24,000 armed forces leavers will increase to at least 30,000 a year over the next few years.

‘Some of these people will set up and prove the viability of their own businesses over the next 3 years and that is why we expect an increased demand for guidance and support from this group and why Heropreneurs is needed now.’

Read the original article here