At 18, I had one ambition: to join the police. That dream was cut short, as I failed to meet the entry requirements.

Unknown to me at the time, life had other plans.

Undecided where my career would take me, my first job offered me £5 a week as a clerk in a Belfast wine wholesaler. Through hard work and persistence, I climbed the ladder, eventually becoming Regional Director of a multinational catering company. Then, in 1988, I had what I can only describe as a lightbulb moment. I decided to start my own business in Contract Catering — not with a polished business plan, I had no customers, no office, no name, and no money.

Today, Mount Charles is one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers, with over 3,500 colleagues and projected revenues of £60 million. The journey over the past 38 years has had its challenges, but with determination — and perhaps a touch of stubbornness — we’ve become a market leader.

In our industry, many of our colleagues are in lower-paid roles and this can sometimes lead people down difficult paths — not always by choice, but by circumstance people sometimes fall off the ladder but when they do, there must be a way to help them climb back up — to restore hope, wellbeing, and opportunity.

That’s why I’m proud to co-chair “THE BRIDGE” — a new initiative focused on supporting individuals with convictions as they reintegrate into society through employment. Our goal is simple: to measure success by the number of lives we help rebuild.

Yes, there are risks to Mount Charles and fellow Forum members  — reputational, operational, financial. But these must be weighed against the transformative impact of giving someone a second chance. Employment is one of the most powerful tools we have to support reintegration and reduce reoffending.

At Mount Charles, we believe in the power of opportunity. We’ve seen firsthand how meaningful work can change lives. “THE BRIDGE” is about creating those opportunities — not just for individuals, but for communities across Northern Ireland.

With the support of Business in the Community and our fellow Forum members, we are determined to succeed. And we will succeed.