If you’ve ever popped down to the shops and returned with much more than you went for, then you will know how Alderley Edge author and founder of Bearhunt, Malcolm McClean feels. He popped down to Costa for a Cappucino and came back owning a chunk of a new business.
He says “When I wrote To the Edge, which looked at how entrepreneurs think, I remember saying that living in this village is like having a masterclass at Harvard Business School every time you go out for a cup of coffee. The things you can learn just by listening to people are incredible. I’d met Stewart Pickering who co-founded Kids Unlimited and about 18 months ago he explained to me about his new enterprise Apple Childcare Vouchers. I was intrigued by the business model and when we met up for a coffee a few weeks back he explained that he was looking for investment to accelerate the business to the next level”.
Apple has developed a superior technology platform which enables it to reduce the costs to employers of providing childcare by about 50%. Malcolm says “It was quite spooky really because just as I was leaving the house to meet Stewart, my friend former Nottingham Forest striker Lee Glover, rang to ask my advice about an investment. I said don’t do it. We will do something together...I don’t know what it is yet but we will. When Stewart said, purely by chance that he was looking for investment, I asked a few questions, looked at some numbers and I bought a stake pretty much there and then for Lee and myself”.
Apple Childcare Vouchers is based in London Road and has just signed a deal with Honda to look after its childcare needs. Honda are in good company, they join an impressive and rapidly growing client list including Stoke-on-Trent College; The Authentic Food Company; Thomas Sanderson; Sharpstream Lifesciences and Equifax.
"Who needs Harvard Business School when you can have coffee in Alderley Edge?"
To learn more about Apple Childcare Vouchers visit their website.
Copies of Malcolm McClean's books can be purchased online from Bearhunt.
