One year on: Forces Community Entrepreneur Fund

Creating social value is an important part of ensuring we deliver our mission to transform people and their communities.

As part of our commitment to societal transformation, we launched a £10,000 Forces Community Entrepreneur Fund last year.

As the provider of the Career Transition Partnership, which we deliver on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, we designed the initiative to support veterans to build sustainable futures through enterprise by providing this substantial business grant.

The fund was set up in partnership with X-Forces Enterprise, the leading provider of business support within the Armed Forces community and one of our CTP delivery partners. By combining our shared expertise and commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community, we were able to identify aspiring veteran entrepreneurs and create an opportunity that delivers lasting benefits for individuals and their communities.

Last October, we announced the first recipient of the fund, veteran entrepreneur Rick Snowling, founder of Mull Electrical Solutions. A year on, we caught up with Rick to learn about the difference the funding has made.

Supporting local residents

Based on the Isle of Mull, off Scotland's west coast, Rick established Mull Electrical Solutions to provide year-round electrical services tailored to the unique needs of the island's communities.

When he applied for the grant, Rick's ambition extended beyond growing his business. He wanted to gain qualifications in solar and battery storage technologies, helping local residents reduce energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels while improving access to specialist services in a remote location.

He said:

"Winning the £10,000 grant from X Forces Enterprise and Reed in Partnership has made a massive difference to me, my family and the business. I've always wanted to build something of my own that could support my family and give me a future whilst also providing services that people locally need. This grant has helped me turn that into something real."

Over the past year, Rick has invested in a reliable work vehicle and completed Level 3 qualifications in EV installation and commissioning, electrical energy storage systems, and solar PV installation and maintenance. These new skills have enabled him to offer a broader range of services to customers across the island and support the transition towards more sustainable energy solutions.

Measuring our impact

For Rick, the funding has not only supported immediate business growth but has provided the tools, skills and confidence towards building a sustainable future for himself, his family and his local community.

"There's an old saying that if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day”, said Rick, “but if you give him a net, you give him the means to feed himself. That's how I see this grant. It hasn't just given me a short-term boost; it's given me the tools, training and opportunity to build something that can last."

Today, Rick is able to offer services that he could not provide before receiving the grant, expanding business opportunities while helping local people access specialist electrical and renewable energy expertise closer to home.

“For me, it’s about more than just running a business. It’s about providing for my family, building a future and doing work that benefits the community around me. X Forces Enterprise and Reed in Partnership enabled me to get the net, and there really are no words that can properly convey how appreciative I am for that, and for the people who believed in me and supported me along the way. I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for the belief they showed in me when it mattered.”

Rick's story demonstrates how social value can help communities thrive. By supporting veteran entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses, we are helping to strengthen local economies, create economic opportunity and deliver lasting impact in the communities we serve.