After years spent pursuing musical ambitions and balancing these with the need to earn a living, Will set up running jump records, an independent-minded music company with a global perspective, in 2004.

Having experienced the highs and lows of the music industry and the frustration of waiting for the approval and support of A&R scouts and promoters, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He followed his instinct that he knew more about the subject than many industry professionals and decided he could do a better job of it. All that really stood between him and the opportunity to promote and distribute his own material, and that of other artists, was business skills.

rjr now has album releases scheduled for 2004 and operates a club night called ‘Hubba Hubba,’ as well as ‘The Walrus Electro-Acoustic Club’, a successful weekly showcase for up and coming original performers in London.

‘Until I got involved with launchpad, I never realised how much support and advice was available to young people like me thinking of starting their own business. The scheme has given me the confidence to develop my ideas by providing me with all the necessary skills and resources. It has also provided me with the best opportunity to network and meet like-minded, dynamic young entrepreneurs. At the end of the day anyone starting a new business from scratch needs all the help they can and has nothing to lose and everything to gain from getting in touch and finding out more.’