A YOUNG Chester entrepreneur has been appointed as business ambassador for the North West by Sir Richard Branson.
Conrad Thornton, 26, from Vicars Cross, is to be the voice of Virgin Media Pioneers in the region and to help inspire more young people to start their own businesses.
Conrad, founder of Chester-based sustainable business advertising agency Green Street Media, will be one of only 12 Regional Pioneer Ambassadors in the UK, offering support to budding business minds in the area.
After starting up his business with only a laptop and a phone in 2010, the past two-and-a-half years has seen Conrad’s resilience pay off, with Green Street Media now the the UK’s best in its field, having done high profile work for organisations such as the Imperial War Museum and the London 2012 Olympic games.
Former Christleton High School pupil Conrad said: “I was delighted to be appointed to the role of ambassador. Business is what I am passionate about and I want to be able to help young entrepreneurs get a start, which is something that the Virgin Media Pioneers scheme offers.
“I first became aware of the scheme about two years ago when I was doing some work for Sheffield Council and things progressed from there. They went in search of a regional ambassador and I was chosen for the role.
“The whole point of the scheme is to get people over the age of 16 to get involved in business, which is what I will be focusing on in my role.”
The young entrepreneur set up his advertising agency in 2010 out of a desire to create a different kind of business and one that also benefited others.
The company, which provides advertising for businesses across the UK using techniques such as moss art, clean advertising and temporary paint, also plants a tree in Africa for every job.
“I started the business back in 2010 after I was a student at Sheffield University,” said Conrad.
“I always had the idea of starting my own business and I came across the idea of sustainable advertising while I was a student. The past two-and-a-half years have been great and the company has built up a great reputation.
“I’m delighted with how things have gone and we are definitely moving in the right direction. I’m looking forward to the task of helping other young entrepreneurs develop their ideas.”