STEVE WAUD is the fund director for the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF). Based in Bradford,the organisation last year celebrated its tenth anniversary, and next month will mark the first anniversary of its office in York.

With offices also in Leeds and the North East, BEF is the social enterprise that loans money to businesses when funds cannot be accessed from mainstream lenders and as a trusted finance provider; all profits are reinvested in the company to further their social aims.

Mr Waud grew up in West Yorkshire and is married with two children at university. He enjoys running, fell walking, playing music and reading historical novels.

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

“I am an apprentice trained design engineer, but much later in life, I trained as a barrister (I know,go figure). While there is a large element of legal work in the job I do, in some ways I would really enjoy the cut and thrust of the court proceedings.

“However, even the legal world is going through an upheaval and I would be keen to bring a strong social element to the legal at some point in the future, watch this space.”

Greatest achievement?

“I was delighted that we celebrated our ten-ear anniversary in Yorkshire in 2014 and the BEF continues to grow from strength to strength.

“If we do, then that means we are helping to kick-start new businesses, encourage entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams and support existing businesses that just need that extra push. It is great to know that we help others fulfil their dreams.”

Biggest mistake?

“I have made many mistakes in my career, but I can’t think of one that has not been turned to an advantage. I guess not everybody sees setbacks in that way, but I certainly do and have benefited from it.”

What makes you most angry?

“Social injustice and gross inequality – as I get older, and with the benefit of working in the sector I work in, I have seen in my lifetime how society has become more unequal. Young people left on the scrap heap, people who want to work unable to do so and people trapped into a cycle of poverty from which they cannot escape. I could go on! If there is one thing I would campaign for would be right for everyone to have equality of opportunity, but it’s not evident now in our society today. I could go on but I won’t.”

What do you need to make life complete?

“Nothing more than I currently have or do. I am blessed because what I do makes a difference and the friends and family I have are the extraordinary, but I wouldn’t mind beating my time for running the three Yorkshire peaks, from 6hr 13m to 5hr 30m.”

Why do you make a difference?

“A number of years ago I was in New York visiting organisations that work with deprived communities. I met a man who had been unemployed for 15 years but because of a loan of $3,000 was now working and employing three other people. That man was trans-formed through the aid of a $3,000 loan he would never have got from a bank. He said to me, ‘I now have purpose, I now have dignity, I now have hope and I now have an income’. Well, that’s what we do and it’s great!”

Epitaph

“Hopefully someone would say something along the lines, emulating the grave of an old Edinburgh printer, ‘he kept down the costs and set the type right.’ In other words, ‘he did what he said he would do well and he didn’t take advantage.’”