Having achieved many professional and personal milestones, after recently turning 40, James has also achieved the incredible feat of opening not one, but four schools within the first six months of starting his business!
Through sheer dedication for the success of his business and his passion for the performing arts, James has exceeded his own expectations and financial projections. Alongside this incredible accomplishment, James is developing and nurturing the creative talents of hundreds of children in the Faringdon area.
The award ceremony was an incredibly proud moment for James, “I was delighted with my award. I have a 10-year plan for my business and this gave me an extra vote of confidence that I was heading in the right direction. I get much more than financial rewards though; I’ve seen our students grow in confidence and, when their parents tell me how they have transformed at school and socially, it’s something special.”
For almost 30 years, the Stagecoach model has been proven and refined to become one of the UK’s leading performing arts opportunities. Franchisees build a team of equally passionate and enthusiastic teachers, qualified to bring out the very best in their students. Stagecoach schools provide a thriving, nurturing and supportive environment for creative learning. That’s just one of the reasons why 40,000 children every week flock to classes nationwide.
“We’re delighted for James, his family and the hundreds of children he’s already helping to grow in ability and confidence. We’re excited to see where he’ll be this time next year. One thing’s for sure, he’s a shining example of our brand, our values and the opportunity for success that the franchise presents,” says Andy Knights, Chief Operating Officer at Stagecoach.
Before starting his Stagecoach business, James worked as a Red Coat for Butlins, was Cruise Director for Princess Cruises for 12 years and spent seven years with Warner Leisure Hotels as their UK Director of Entertainment. That last demanding role meant he would often spend four or five nights a week away from home. When their two children came along, James’ busy corporate lifestyle combined with his partner’s shift work with the NHS proved far from ideal. After hearing about the Stagecoach franchise from a friend, James quickly realised this was the opportunity to change his life, and the lives of others, for the better.
James and his team of qualified teachers show no signs of slowing down, with plans in place to open more schools in the future. With the Summer term about to begin, there is much more on the horizon for award winner James Barker and his Stagecoach Performing Arts School in Faringdon!
For more information visit: www.stagecoach.co.uk/faringdon