A Chester businessman has spoken of his delight at meeting the Prince of Wales at St James’s Palace.
Tim Hulse was invited to celebrate the success of The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise (Prime) entrepreneurs, having set up Ecovert Solutions after attending a business training course run by the charity in St Helens.
Ecovert Solutions is a building company specialising in turning older homes into ultra-low energy eco-homes using sustainable materials.
Tim works across the North West and has also managed to take on two extra employees, as well as create work for sub-contractors in the region.
On the day, Tim showcased his business to the guests, which included other mature entrepreneurs from around the country and Prime supporters.
Tim said: “It’s not every day you get invited to attend an event at St James’s Palace and it was a big honour for me to have the opportunity to meet The Prince of Wales.
“Before I heard of Prime, I was looking for work after I was made redundant in 2011.
“Thanks to the charity’s help and support, I was able to turn my keen interest in old buildings and the environment into a successful business and creating jobs for two more people is something I am immensely proud of.”
Prime is a national charity helping people over the age of 50, who are unemployed or facing the threat of redundancy, explore the possibility of setting up their own businesses as an alternative route back into sustaining and fulfilling work.
Prime’s chairman, Richard Martin, said: “This was the first time we had brought together a real cross-section of people connected with Prime and it was a great honour to have HRH The Prince of Wales hosting the event.
“People over the age of 50 have a wealth of skills and experience to benefit their local communities, as well as wider the economy, and people like Tim serve as a positive example that it’s never too late to set up your own business.”
