IAN Rigby is a man with a mission.

The former manager and self-employed businessman has been charged with extending the hugely successful Guardian Angel scheme launched two years ago across East Lancashire.

The initiative was set up by the Blackburn Partnership to match experienced managers with new enterprises in the Blackburn City Challenge area to help them through the early stages of going it alone and expanding.

The Guardians and their 'cherubs' meet regularly to discuss problems and ideas, but the relationship is designed to be flexible to meet their individual needs.

The scheme has already helped create 109 new jobs, and Guardians have given more than £100,000 in management time.

Funding from ELTEC has now enabled it to be extended across East Lancashire.

Ian, originally from Blackburn, has worked in various management posts in the North West at firms including British Leyland.

He also ran his own business specialising in electronic point-of-sale terminals, which unfortunately failed.

"I've been involved on both sides of the fence and that experience is obviously helpful in this new post," said Ian, who will be based at Clayton Park, Clayton-le-Moors.

Ian is now on the lookout for suitable small businesses and guardians to match together under the scheme.

"The ultimate aim of the scheme is to create new jobs so it is new companies who want to grow that we are looking for," explained Peter Robinson, chief executive of Blackburn Partnership.

The winner of the award for the most successful marriage under the 1995/6 scheme was Kite Computing and their 'angel' Simon Watts of Cad-Capture.

Ian can be contacted on 01254 389898 ext 215.

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