For Geoff Warren, ‘leaving the comfort zone’ to set up recruitment business Broadland Rail, wasn’t exactly the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.
For 17 years he served in the army as a warrant officer with the Coldstream Guards, posted to Bosnia, the Gulf, and Northern Ireland. After leaving the army in 2000, he worked as a recruitment consultant for an air-freight company, before moving into the rail industry.
For a man used to thinking strategically, starting up on his own in 2001 was a “natural decision”.
Specialising in the rail, overground, underground and industrial arenas, by the end of its first year the 10-strong firm’s turnover was an impressive £2.4m. What’s more, Warren’s just made his first acquisition.
Despite the obvious differences between an army career and business, Warren believes his career prepared him well for the world of entrepreneurship. “It gave me good problem solving skills and fast thinking ability. And you get the attitude where you relish a challenge, not shy away from it.”
This thirst for a challenge is evident in his business’ journey so far. It was formed with no investment, made the acquisition without investment, and Warren expects future growth and acquisitions also to be self-funded.
Knowing which fights to pick has also helped the firm’s success, and Warren outsources the areas in which he doesn’t have expertise. Much of the firm’s financial administration, for example, is carried out by Menzies Accountants.
Warren is open about his ambitions for the business, stressing that it’s “not an heirloom”. He’s working towards a five-year exit, and his growth plans are to support that. He intends to “double the turnover for the next three years, then for the fourth year maintain that turnover”.
Currently the business has more than 40 clients, with big names including Siemens, Balfour Beatty and Penauille Serivsair. The five-year plan has got off to a flying start, and it appears that Warren’s business hasn’t suffered at all from his unusual route to entrepreneurship.
“I had no idea what to expect, so every day has been a challenge,” he says, but this soldier-turned-entrepreneur has proved that being ready for a challenge really is half the battle.
