Adam Desmond

Shared by Ed Make Your Mark team

Coventry University graduate Adam Desmond is in the fast lane to success with instrol.co.uk - a website that enables learner drivers to find an instructor and book lessons online.

After graduating in 2005 Adam needed a job which would allow him to fulfil his commitments with the Great Britain swimming team. He received a sports scholarship when he joined Coventry University to study business and IT, and this month will try to qualify for Beijing Olympics in 2008 in the open water event.

The City of Coventry Swimming Club member said: “I’d initially thought about becoming a driving instructor myself as I needed a job with flexible hours.

“I considered having an online diary so my pupils could see when I was available and book lessons. I then realised that it would surely be useful for all independent driving instructors to have this sort of service and I started setting up my business Instrol.”

A Princes Trust loan set the wheels in motion and after designing the specifications, Adam hired developers to create the website.

Bob Pinner, Head of the Make Your Mark in Coventry campaign, has already invited Adam to speak to a number of schools in the area and is delighted to welcome him to his new role.

He said: “Adam has achieved a lot very quickly but it has not been easy for him so he has some great advice for young people who want to follow in his footsteps. I’m delighted he has agreed to share his experiences and to inspire other young people to make their ideas happen.”

Adam is relishing the opportunity to speak at schools and colleges where he always gets a receptive audience. “I really enjoying talking about setting up my business and explaining how and why I made the decisions I did,” he added.

“It gives me a real satisfaction and the students have always got lots of questions – it’s great to now be able to talk about the Make Your Mark in Coventry campaign and to encourage other young people to be more enterprising.”

Programmes like Dragons Den and The Apprentice have put business in the spotlight and Adam says that can only be a good thing.

He said: “Because of the media profile it’s now far more popular to be an entrepreneur than work for a big organisation – it’s the new rock ‘n roll!”