WHEN Hemsby man Martin Pitman, 45, was made redundant from the insurance industry he faced the prospect of being left on the scrapheap unless he could find a way of getting on the right track.

WHEN Hemsby man Martin Pitman, 45, was made redundant from the insurance industry he faced the prospect of being left on the scrapheap unless he could find a way of getting on the right track.

So he decided to literally put himself on the road to recovery by starting his own chauffeur company, running business clients to airports and hotels - and trade is beginning to accelerate following a slow first couple of months after the launch of Business Chauffeurs in August.

Mr Pitman, who lives with wife Sue in Martham Road, said that when he finished his job in the personal liability department at Willis in Ipswich, he could not find another job in his profession because most insurance brokers were looking for younger staff.

He said even though he had 28 years experience in the industry no jobs were forthcoming.

He sent off over 300 letters.

He said: “I thought potentially, I am on the scrapheap at the age of 45. Forget the fact I have 28 years experience, what am I going to do?”

So he put the new Lexus he had bought to good use attracting clients from all over Norfolk for his service, which he said aimed to provide a more personalised one-to-one experience for business clientele, rather than ordinary taxi companies.

Customers can be picked up from either a private or business address and receive complimentary newspapers and magazines, while the car is equipped to enable them to work or nap in the back.

The car is also available for wedding hire and other social occasions.

For more information or to book the car either log on to www.businesschauffeurs.co.uk or e-mail martin.pitman@businesschauffeurs.co.uk.