Press Release: Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber supports fledgling HR firm

To be made redundant in your 60s might signal early retirement for many – but not for one businessman.
Human Resources expert Phillip Mogg, 64, from Solihull, was forced to consider calling time on his career when his stint at a Coventry-based Becta, a non-governmental public body, came to an end after the organisation was recently wound up by the Government.
But he was not ready to wave goodbye to working life and after he contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, he thought of another option.
Phil decided to set up his own human resources consultancy, Hermes HR, after receiving support from the Chamber.
He said: “Prior to my time at Becta I had spent 38 years in human resources in the NHS, and during that time I spent 10 years as the executive director for HR at Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust.
“With the added experience of working for Becta for just over 4 years, I felt I still had something to offer and was not yet ready to give up work.
“I considered a range of options, but on further investigation several of these became less attractive or were unlikely to bear fruit.
“As part of Becta’s outplacement arrangements for its redundant employees, I became aware of the workshops and counselling offered by the Chamber of Commerce for individuals contemplating starting up their own business.
“I enrolled for the series of four workshops, which together with the one-to-one support, provided me with inspiration, motivation and knowledge to set up my own company.
“It is a new exciting challenge for me, and is something quite different after years working in the public sector, so I am enjoying it.”
The company is still in its infancy but has already obtained a commission from another public sector organisation and is in discussion with another company with a view to helping companies across the Midlands cope with a wide range of human resource issues and challenges.
Keely Hancox, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a classic example of someone turning a potentially negative situation into a positive one.
“During these harsh economic times unemployment figures are unfortunately high and people have looked at alternative methods of making a living.
“Very often this includes setting up their own businesses - as Phillip has done - and here at the Chamber we are able to provide a wide range of assistance.”
ENDS

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