AN AFGHANISTAN bomb blast survivor and a fellow former soldier are first winners of Solihull Observer-sponsored Marriott Forest of Arden Six of the Best Business winners - The Solihull Observer

AN AFGHANISTAN bomb blast survivor and a fellow former soldier are first winners of Solihull Observer-sponsored Marriott Forest of Arden Six of the Best Business winners

Solihull Editorial 1st Jul, 2015 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

AN AFGHANISTAN bomb blast survivor and a fellow former soldier who set up a first aid and emergency training business have proved so successful that their company is already one of the UK’s most promising start-up enterprises.

Now John Loveday and Paul Hood of Spearhead Compliance Training are our first Solihull Observer – Marriott Forest of Arden Six of the Best Business winners.

Both dads with a training background in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and The Rifles Regiment saw the importance of teaching parents and others what to do in a medical emergency, so they launched a series of paediatric first aid courses.

That was 18 months ago, and now they have 125 trainers operating nationwide – and are donating half their online Paediatric First Aid course fees to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.




They have also won a Ministry of Defence contract to provide more than 35,000 regular and reserve soldiers with various accredited training qualifications over the next two years, generating around £450,000 in sales revenue.

It has been a particularly remarkable life turn around for former soldier John, aged 28, from Hampton-in-Arden, who got all his men out of danger after their patrol was hit by a bomb blast only to collapse with a bleed on the brain.


He later suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, and as a result was encouraged to start up his own business.

The rest, as they say, is history.

“It’s so important for parents to know exactly what to do if a child is hurt because currently 68% of parents would not know how to deal with a child that was choking or unconscious” said John, a father of two.

“So Paul and I, who had already become freelance trainers after leaving the army, decided to launch Spearhead Compliance Training to help make a difference.”

While John oversees the general operation of their thriving enterprise with military precision, Paul, aged 33, from Olton, who is also a father of two, heads up finance and training.

“We have already established an excellent industry reputation so it’s part of my role to personally vet every new trainer we employ to ensure that our high standards are maintained,” he added.

Today the important first aid and range of other related services provided by Spearhead are being taken up by care homes, hotels, supermarkets and many other business and community sectors.

Marriott Forest of Arden General Manager, Eamonn Thompson, said he was delighted the hotel was able to host the award scheme and that both John and Paul were most worthy opening winners.

If you would like to recommend a business person for  our Six of the Best Award then call Nigel Heath on 07721 001 990.

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