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Ambitious graduate scales the great heights of success with £1 million company

Friday 9 April 2010

John Charles

A determined University of East London student who graduated from the Business School and overcame tremendous barriers to achieve success with his £1 million company, catering2order, is now in high demand.

John Charles, 37, from Surrey Quays became blind shortly after he graduated with his HND in Business and Finance in 1996 from UEL’s Barking Campus. Facing tremendous personal and career challenges at the age of 23, he beat all odds and continued to strive towards his goal of starting a catering company.

Despite a great business plan, John was continuously turned down for loans by banks because of his disability. Eventually, charity Action for Blind People helped him to secure funding for his company, catering2order.

During his time at UEL, business-minded John was already helping students see the world by organising trips including excursions to Europe. He took his second year off due to medical investigations for recurring headaches that eventually led to his blindness.

John said: "I look at my time at UEL with fond memories, the experience was great and I wouldn’t swap it for anything. The main thing I took away was an academic grounding that I could structure my business on and great analytical skills. Our course was really challenging, I believe it was restructured the following year, so I’m especially proud to have completed it!"

Based in Bermondsey, John’s firm now has 24 employees around London and has won contracts for the Olympic Delivery Authority and other top public and private sector organisations around South East London.

With his love of food coupled with the desire to realise his wider ambitions, John has a very hands on approach towards his business. He gets involved in every aspect of the business including designing menus for his clients, letting them sample the recipes and then letting his service do the talking.

Having been on panels at Number 10 discussing Social Enterprise issues, John believes that employers should be less frightened of disabled employees’ needs, which are often simple and can bring enhancements to employers businesses.

John is also a Director of both SocialFirms UK and Social Enterprise London – businesses which exist to address social or environmental needs.

John added: "As a result of my disability, I’ve become much more aware in every way and the advice I’d give to UEL students now is to be your own worst critic, aim high and believe in what you’re doing. I refused to fail and I have a lot of self belief. If you don’t believe in your idea, no one else will. I’d say go for one small step at a time until you achieve the whole."

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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