From climbing the corporate ladder to installing them for a living, Ben Aires knows a thing or two about taking the next step. The former BT Openreach senior manager launched his More Than Loft Ladders (MTLL) franchise in Norfolk last year – already proving that business growth and social impact can go hand in hand.

Alongside building a fast-growing operation, Ben has partnered with social enterprise Rippleacts to offer work experience that’s turning into real jobs, showing how small businesses can make a big difference – one rung at a time.

Ben was introduced to Rippleacts, a Norfolk-based social enterprise that supports people facing barriers to employment, through a former colleague from his time at BT. Rippleacts works by connecting people who are struggling to find work with local employers willing to offer hands-on experience and a genuine opportunity to progress.

For Ben, the partnership felt like a natural fit. “I wanted it to be more than a tick-box exercise,” said Ben. “I wanted to give someone a proper chance – real work, real responsibility and the opportunity to prove themselves.”

With the backing of a proven franchise model, Ben was able to focus on building a strong local team – creating opportunities that benefit both the business and the wider community.

Through Rippleacts, Ben offered a work placement to Luke, who had previous practical experience and a strong work ethic but had struggled to secure stable employment. From the outset, Luke quickly found his feet, growing in confidence and showing he was more than up to the task. Within just three weeks, the placement turned into paid employment.

“Luke threw himself into it,” added Ben. “You could see his confidence building day by day. Watching someone grow into a role like that has been incredibly rewarding.”

Luke’s placement-turned-employment reinforced why Ben had wanted to run his own business in the first place – having the freedom to make decisions that align with his values, while also strengthening his team and business culture.

“Being able to give someone like Luke a chance, to see them succeed and know you’ve played a small part in changing their circumstances – that’s huge,” said Ben. “It’s been a real highlight of running MTLL Norfolk.”

Liam Hobbs, franchise director at MTLL, highlights Ben’s approach as perfectly representative of what the brand stands for. “What Ben has done is exactly what we want our franchisees to feel empowered to do.

“Our franchise model provides the support to grow a successful business, but also the freedom to act on personal values. Ben’s work with Rippleacts is a brilliant example of that in action!”