PHIL Williams, co-founder of Krapow Thai, an authentic Thai food restaurant in Warrington, is among 14 businesses named as Start Up Loans’ 2024 Ambassadors.
The business was founded by Phil, who has had a 17-year-long career in the British Army as part of the Royal Dragoon Guards, and his Thai partner Chanisara. The couple had wanted to set up a restaurant together for several years and after seeing a strong demand for the cuisine at a local Thai food stall, they decided it was the perfect time to start the business.
To help set up the business, Phil secured a £24k Start Up Loan delivered by X-Forces Enterprise. The loan was used to buy the kitchen, pay tradespeople and buy fixtures and fittings for its opening.
The Krapow Thai restaurant is decorated with authentic decorations from Chanisara’s family in Thailand and Phil’s regimental flag is proudly displayed on its walls.
The annual Start Up Loans Ambassadors programme, now in its ninth year, celebrates inspiring UK business owners who have launched an enterprise using finance from the government-backed scheme. The Ambassadors have been selected as they demonstrate the resilience, creativity, and determination required to make a smaller business successful, and to provide inspiration for entrepreneurs across the UK.
Phil said: “I am really proud to become a Start Up Loans Ambassador this year, meaning I can share my journey with other entrepreneurs.
“We are already expecting to grow our revenue by 25 per cent in both year two and year three of running the business. The Start Up Loans programme was a huge part of our journey so I’m looking forward to inspiring others who are thinking of setting up their own business.”
This year, in addition to 12 Ambassadors drawn from each of the UK’s Nations and regions, two more Ambassadors have been selected. These business owners represent two important groups supported by the programme, who may face challenges in accessing financing elsewhere: one from the ex-Armed Forces community and the other from the Gen Z age group.
The 2024 Ambassadors will be introduced at a dedicated event in central London that marks the start of a year-long programme which will see the new Ambassadors take part in a series of local and national activities, helping inspire and encourage aspiring start-up founders to take the leap into business ownership.
Delyth Edwards, Senior Network Manager for the North West of England at the British Business Bank said: “I am delighted to welcome Phil Williams, co-founder of Krapow Thai as the new Ambassador for X-Forces. Phil embodies the determination and drive that is required of a business owner in the current climate. I know that he will inspire others to follow their dream of becoming a business owner and I am very much looking forward to working with Phil and helping to share his story.”
Ren Kapur MBE, CEO of X-Forces Enterprise, said: “Phil Williams is a prime example of the determination and adaptability found in military entrepreneurs; his journey from the Armed Forces to launching a successful restaurant shows the drive veterans bring to business. As the official Business Support Partner for the Armed Forces community, we’re proud to have supported Phil and delighted to see him appointed as a Start Up Loans Ambassador, where he’ll inspire other veterans to pursue fulfilling independent careers in business.”
Since its inception, the Start Up Loans programme has delivered more than 115,000 loans to business owners across the UK, amounting to more than £1.1bn of financing.
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