Former printer Richard ready to make his mark after launching oven valeting business Ovenu Fareham

At the age of 55, Richard Lawrence says he is tremendously excited to have finally achieved a long-held ambition of becoming his own boss.

He said: ‘It’s daunting to launch any business from scratch, let alone in the middle of a lockdown, but I’m very enthusiastic and committed to making it a real success.’

The keen DIY enthusiast has started Ovenu Fareham and completed Ovenu’s extensive training programme.

He said he already has an encouraging level of client bookings over the coming weeks. Once established, he plans to grow the businesses by employing a subcontractor to operate a second van.

Richard spent more than 20 years in the commercial printing trade, progressing from the presses to managing a reprographics department. One of his tasks was the printing of programmes for a variety of Premiership clubs.

However, with the general decline of the print industry he was made redundant in 2017 and retrained as a financial services adviser, working for a major insurance provider.

He added: ‘For the last few years, I’ve worked from home, advising clients over the phone on health and life insurance policies, but the arrival of the pandemic made me realise it was time to take control of my career.

‘I’m a people person so I’m really looking forward to connecting with my clients and delivering a tangible product – restoring ovens to showroom condition.’

Richard, who is originally from Aldershot, is married to teacher Helen, and they moved to Fareham in the mid-1990s. The couple have one son, who is at sixth form college.

Ovenu Fareham, which also covers Hill Head, Stubbington, Titchfield, Whiteley, Portchester and Wickham, is accepting bookings at its discretion, with the strict stipulation that both parties observe the two-metre social distancing rule, along with guidelines on hygiene and cleanliness.

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Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of the Ovenu franchise, said: ‘Richard not only has the skills to run a successful business but he’s a very practical person who takes immense pride in his work.’

The Ovenu valeting process involves dismantling key components of an oven such as the door, interior panels, fan, and shelves and placing them into design-registered tank equipment, which uses safe, non-caustic and biodegradable products to clean the oven parts.

Joining Richard setting up an Ovenu franchise is Rob Cunningham, from Waterlooville, Rob, a former baker, has recently set up Ovenu Petersfield, covering Petersfield, the Meon Valley, Liss, Waterlooville, Denmead and Clanfield.

For a free quote call Richard on 01329 273073, email fareham@ovenu.co.uk or visit ovenu.co.uk/oven_cleaning/fareham/

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