Former Surrey stunt double among British Business Bank's Start Up Loans’ 2022 Ambassadors
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans Programme has recognised the founders of 12 small businesses as role models for UK startups.
Among these is Woking’s Chloe Bruce, a former Hollywood stunt double who took out a loan of £12,500 in 2020 to start the Chloe Bruce Academy, offering virtual martial arts classes and tutorials.
Through a mix of on-demand and live classes the academy has taught hundreds of thousands of people of all skill levels ranging from beginner to professional.
In her past career, Chloe boasts roles as a stunt double for some major Hollywood leading actors, including Zoe Saldana (who played Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy) and Daisy Ridley (who played Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy).
Chloe said “As a mum of two juggling work and childcare, having an online business has been essential in ensuring I maintain a work-life balance.
“My dream was always to launch a virtual platform, and when Covid-19 meant that people were forced to stay at home, it felt like the right time to formally launch to the public after years of planning.”
The Start Up Loans Ambassadors programme has run annually for the past seven years. It recognises previous recipients of the Start Up Loans programme who have walked an exceptional path to becoming their own boss.
Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Start Up Loans, said: “Given the current challenges facing business owners across the country, it’s never been more important to celebrate those using creativity, tenacity and grit to make a success of their enterprises.
“Our latest set of Ambassadors are as remarkable as ever, combining twelve inspirational stories and approaches to running a business from every corner of the UK.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome and congratulate them on their roles as Ambassadors, and I look forward to working with them over the coming year to inspire others thinking of becoming their own boss.”
Set up in 2012 as a £10 million pilot scheme by Lord Young following the 2008 financial crisis, the programme aims to enable young people to achieve their dream of setting up their own business through access to financial and expert support when they might otherwise struggle to find funding.
Richard Bearman, Managing Director, Start Up Loans, said: “Given the current challenges facing business owners across the country, it’s never been more important to celebrate those using creativity, tenacity and grit to make a success of their enterprises.
“Our latest set of Ambassadors are as remarkable as ever, combining twelve inspirational stories and approaches to running a business from every corner of the UK.
“It’s my pleasure to welcome and congratulate them on their roles as Ambassadors, and I look forward to working with them over the coming year to inspire others thinking of becoming their own boss.”
Read more - British Business Bank's Start Up Loans delivers £90m funding in the South East
Now in its tenth year, the programme has delivered in excess of £900 million in funding through more than 97,000 loans to business owners through the UK.
In this time, 40 per cent of loan recipients have been women and 21 per cent from minority ethnic backgrounds. 40 per cent of recipients have been aged 18-30, reflecting the scheme’s continued investment in the next generation of UK business owners.
Business Minister Dean Russell said: “From Shetland to Scunthorpe and Carlisle to Cardiff, there are thousands of businesses thriving today thanks to receiving a government backed Start Up Loan over the past decade.
“The latest expansion of the scheme has made an additional 33,000 loans of up to £25,000 available to more firms than ever to help them innovate, create jobs, and boost wages.
“The 12 firms named as ambassadors represent the very best of what British small businesses can achieve with a Start Up Loan supporting them.”
Tina McKenzie, Policy and Advocacy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “This is great news from the British Business Bank, marking 10 years of improving the small business ‘birth rate’, and at the same time powering the levelling up agenda by supporting small business creation in all the UK nations and regions.
“Today’s figures and ambassadors are a real legacy for Lord Young, and we hope that this can be built on and expanded in future.”
Featured image: Chloe Bruce
