Peter Higgs was nominated for this award by one of his staff members who labels him as ‘the most inspiring business person’ she knows… and we agree.

Peter grew up in Surrey where he lived with his mother and three sisters.

His childhood was difficult, his father left home and Peter struggled enormously with dyslexia and Tourette’s – he was bullied immensely because of this. Peter grew to hate school and refused to attend.

Social services and the police got involved when Peter was no longer going to school and his behaviour was labelled as antisocial. He was put on medication for his Tourette’s but reacted badly and was hospitalised. A new medication was administered but this meant Peter would need constant supervision and was subsequently placed in a Children’s home in Bognor Regis. During his time there, he got involved with older children who encouraged him to steal cars and take drugs.

Peter’s future was not bright. He was transferred to foster care, rehabilitation centres and eventually a secure unit. He was released once he was able to come off his medication but he had missed so much school that he was unable to complete his GCSEs and instead started working as a farmhand earning £35 a day.

With his newfound love of the outdoors, he developed friendships with local gamekeepers where he discovered a passion for wildlife management. Social services helped Peter complete a course on countryside management where Peter decided he would love to run his own Pest Control business but his lack of education and experience left him feeling that it would be too much of an undertaking.

Along came the help and support of The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme who provided Peter with the knowledge he needed to set up his very first business – PGH Pest Control and Prevention.

In 2013, Peter won the RBS Enterprise Award, he is now managing director and owner of Higgs Holdings which incorporates six brands relating to pest control and saving bees. He employs a team of 16, offers services nationwide and last year he exceeded a 1 million turnover.

You really do have an incredible story and you should be very proud of what you have achieved.