AN officer who faces redundancy from the RAF after seven years service has decided to set up his own franchise, Revive! West Norfolk, repairing minor damage and scuffs on vehicles and alloy wheels.

Flying Officer Kiri Chiakli (25) was due to start flying training to become a navigator when the defence cuts were announced. The training was put on hold and he was given notice of redundancy last September. He hoped that he might be able to re-train to do another job in the RAF but sadly that wasn’t the case.

The father of two began researching a new career in ‘Civvy Street’ and as a result has taken on the Revive! franchise for Kings Lynn and the surrounding area. Now after a month of training at the Revive! IMI (Institute of the Motor Industry) approved training centre in Rugby he is ready to get started and has big plans for his new business.

Said Kiri: “To be honest I had no plans to leave the RAF. I loved my job and was looking forward to starting my flying training and a career as a navigator. I joined as an aircraft technician seven years ago and worked hard to become an officer. It was a big shock when I was told by the RAF that there wasn’t a job for me and of course I was incredibly disappointed. However, the RAF couldn’t have been more helpful, giving me a year to find another career and build my business.”

“I had time to look at various options and decided to go with Revive! because it is a very professional company and offers the best training compared to other franchises in similar sectors.

“I liked the fact that Revive! has led the way in getting ATA accreditation for cosmetic smart repair. I have very high standards and wanted to be involved with a top quality business.”

Revive! has one of the largest networks of experts in the country. Smart repair is a quality, cost effective and time-saving alternative to taking the vehicle to a bodyshop for minor paintwork repairs. Costing far less than most insurance policy excesses, the work is carried out at a time and place to suit the customer, minimising vehicle downtime and protecting the owner’s no claims bonus.

Added Kiri: “The plan is to expand the business and I hope toeventually have three or four vans on the road. I will be covering a big area and there is plenty of work out there to support three or four operatives. I can’t wait to get started, I am really excited about the prospect of starting my own business.”

Revive! West Norfolk is an easy to use service and Kiri specialises in dealing with unsightly scrapes and marks on most makes of cars and vans with next to no fuss and at highly competitive rates. He will travel to anywhere in Kings Lynn and the surrounding area and can carry out the work at customer’s home or place of work at a time to suit them.