Vantrepreneurs

07 June 2006

Van drivers spark new trend in "mobile entrepreneurs."

A nationwide survey commissioned by Norwich Union Direct van insurance* has identified a new generation of business professionals and has coined a new phrase for this group, "vantrepreneurs".

The new phrase and survey coincide with the launch of Norwich Union Direct’s search for the "Vantrepreneur of the Year" where one dynamic and successful van owner could win £10,000**.

The survey provides new insight into one of the country’s fastest growing entrepreneurial sectors. Dispelling old misconceptions, today’s van owner-driver is a health conscious, well educated and well groomed van professional who regularly uses their van as a mobile office.

The survey questioned over 500 UK van owner-drivers on a range of topics associated with their businesses. Questioning a cross section of business types from caterers to florists and from plumbers to builders, the survey showed that these self-employed entrepreneurs have aspirations for their businesses beyond old "white van man" misconceptions.

Well educated

Almost a quarter of van owner-drivers surveyed had a degree; a further 25% had O-Level or GCSE qualifications and 20% had A-Levels.

Health conscious

In a shock finding, "vantrepreneurs" have cast aside the traditional fry-up and instead regularly enjoy a healthy breakfast. Almost a third enjoy healthy porridge or muesli for breakfast with only one-in-six, ....cont/

enjoying a morning fry up before they hit the road.

Well groomed

According to the Norwich Union Direct survey, this new generation of "vantrepreneurs" is more image conscious and individuals regularly spend time on their appearance. Even male van owner-drivers, make an effort when grooming. At least 6% have regular body waxing, 5% have regular manicures and pedicures and 3% of men have regular facials.

More women "vantrepreneurs"

Incredibly from the national sample, 35% of people surveyed were female, slashing perceptions of British van owners being a male dominated group. In addition, the research showed that more women van drivers are self employed (53%) compared to 44% of men. This signifies the growth of independent self employed women taking to their vans helping to broaden the range of professions using vans.

The new mobile office

In acknowledgement that their van is more than just a vehicle to them, most 21^st century van owner-drivers equip their vehicles like mobile offices, with supplies of stationery, work paperwork and laptops, as well as items to make them feel more comfortable, such as cushions, lucky charms and pictures of their loved ones.

Designer Wayne Hemingway, founder of Red or Dead, Hemingway Design and ex-vantrepreneur, said: “My entrepreneurial career started back in 1981 when my wife, Gerardine and I started out on Camden Market selling second-hand clothes, Dr Martens and Gerardine’s home made clothes from the back of two ex-gas board Ford ....cont/

Bump and run
July 2005 A report released today reveals that 13 million* (40 per cent) sneaky drivers have crashed into other parked cars and driven off without owning up. The research from car insurer Churchill** shows that a quarter of Brits...read more

Transits. Our Camden van years were formative and instrumental in our future success. Many designers, fashion entrepreneurs and vantrepreneurs still rely on their vans as we did then”.

Jill Willis, Norwich Union Direct van marketing manager, says: “The impact that van owner drivers are having on the growth of entrepreneurialism in the UK is significant; the van owner-driver is a much more sophisticated business operator than some people have been led to believe in the past. Van insurance is one of our fastest growing sectors and we are happy that this research has helped to dispel the old ‘white van man’ myths.

“The effect of this growing sector can be seen throughout business industry with van owner-drivers continuing to play an instrumental role in maintaining the economy.”

Tim Campbell of Campbell’s Automotive Ltd, the UK's number one van research specialist, said: “This is an important and often overlooked sector of industry, with the van often acting as the workplace of the entrepreneur. The phenomenon of entrepreneurial use of the van isn’t a new one, however, over the past few years van acquisition has grown significantly, aided by more accessible finance schemes and buoyed by a strong economy that encourages start up businesses.”

For more information on Norwich Union visit Norwich Union Direct Van Insurance.

Drivers Ignore Safety Advice
30/09/2005 New research reveals that 85 per cent* of parents did not bother to replace the baby or child seat following a car crash. This is in spite of warnings from safety experts that they should be replaced after an accident otherwise...read more

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Notes

* Independent research commissioned by Norwich Union Direct van insurance and undertaken by 72Point.com. The sample consisted of 559 adults.

Study undertaken between 22 March – 5 April 2006
- 53% of women van drivers are self employed, compared to only 44% of men.
- 23% of van drivers are educated to degree level.
- 14% of male van drivers have regular beauty treatments to keep up their appearance.
- 12% of drivers have lucky charms in their vans.
- 30% of van drivers ensure that they have cushions with them.
- 6% of male van drivers have a fry up, compared with 32% who have either fruit or muesli.

** NUD Van is launching the national search to find the first Norwich Union Direct "Vantrepreneur of the Year" – if you are a van-entrepreneur, you could win £10,000 if you enter.

To enter, single van owner drivers must explain in no more than 150 words explain why your van has been integral to the success of your business – and why you deserve to be the first
Entries by e-mail NorwichUnionVanCompetition@borkowski.co.uk or write to Norwich Union Vantrepreneur of the Year, Borkowski, 71 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6ST
Deadline for entries: Monday 31 July 2006
Competitions terms and conditions available from Borkowski PR 0207 404 3000.