A HAMPSHIRE landscape gardener is backing a campaign to encourage entrepreneurship after serious health problems prompted him to leave his office job to become his own boss.

Jim Butler-Moore, established his gardening business Butler-Moore Gardens at Hedge End in 2015, after a stroke and heart surgery led to a complete lifestyle and career overhaul.

Today, Jim, says leaving his sales manager role in London was the best decision he’s ever made and believes people should be less fearful of going it alone in businesses.

Jim says: “I was working for a global company which meant my days were excessively long and I was missing seeing my children grow up.

I was at work one day and I felt a seething pain in my arm and realised that something was wrong. It turned out that I was having a stroke and later investigation revealed that I needed heart surgery. Thankfully. I recovered, but the experience made me consider my priorities. I quit my job and started a landscape gardening business. I’m now healthier than ever and I get to have breakfast and dinner with my family every day, I couldn’t be happier.”

Jim is launching the Vanarama Van Hero campaign to celebrate independent van driving business owners across the region by encouraging people to vote for their local “Van hero” in the South East.

The champion will be revealed in a national final in October, 2016.

Jim adds: “My van is an essential part of my business and it’s my pride and joy. Although I’m not earning as much as I was in London, I love working locally and transforming people’s gardens. It’s great to see larger companies like Vanarama support the small business community.”

Andy Alderson, MD and founder of Vanarama says, “We want to encourage people to vote for trade’s people in their communities because they are the backbone of this nation.

“Far too often van drivers receive negative publicity for the wrong reasons but really, the majority of UK van drivers are people like Jim, running their own businesses and following their dreams.

“We have created these awards to celebrate entrepreneurialism in Britain and will reward the overall winner with a complimentary three-year van lease or £5,000 prize.”

Jim continues, “I wish I’d set up my own business years ago, I love the independence and I’m excited for the future. I’m delighted to support Vanarama in celebrating entrepreneurs in the South East with this competition.”

The Van Hero competition is open to van driving business owners from all sectors - entries can be submitted at Vanarama.co.uk/VanHeroes.