Midland entrepreneur Ian Marshall is starting his own business after nearly 20 years in the gas industry.
Mr Marshall is setting up Recognition Express Wolverhampton & Telford, specialising in supplying printed products, such as badges, signs, mugs, pens, promotional products and clothing to businesses, schools and local authorities.
He said he was happy to be following the family tradition of being self-employed and joins his brother, an agricultural contractor, and his father, a builder.
Mr Marshall said: “I have always wanted to work for myself and taking voluntary redundancy has given me the opportunity to take the leap now.â€
Attending a British Franchising Association seminar helped Ian make his mind up to pursue franchising.