The Interview
Richard Maynard talks to John Pickup, of Newbury company Amputees in Action
John Pickup, from Newbury, has not let his disability stop him from
running a successful casting business for film and television work.
Mr Pickup, aged 40 and an amputee, began Amputees in Action, a company that specialises in supplying amputee extras and stuntmen for film, television and for Forces casualty training in 2004. It has a folio of 160 amputee artistes and 13 make-up artistes.
The Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs is run by Leonard Cheshire Disability and sponsored by easyGroup chairman Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, through the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. Mr Pickup won the award, and a £50,000 prize at the Growing Business Awards in November.
The three finalists also benefit from specialist support courtesy of the Stelios Scholar Reach-out Programme.
John Pickup said: “My biggest
challenge has been funding the business. In the beginning there were no financial or professional bodies interested in
giving assistance or guidance. All our hard work has been achieved through true grit, hard work and passionately believing in the concept of the business.
“The company is an agency for amputees run by an amputee. The remit will always be this and our drive has always been for the benefit of the people we employ. Winning this award would also show that it’s people’s ability – what you can do – not the disability that
matters.”
Sir Stelios said: “I am passionate about encouraging the entrepreneurship and working with Leonard Cheshire Disability to set up this award plays a big part in this.
“I would like to congratulate John for reaching the shortlist of this year’s award, it is not an easy task to be
nominated because there was stiff
competition.
“With around 50 per cent of disabled adults out of work, removing barriers
disabled people face in business is essential. Self employment is a more viable option for many disabled people as it offers flexibility and helps bypass much of the prejudice that sadly still exists.
“I have been impressed by John and all shortlisted entrepreneurs. I will look
forward to awarding the prize to this year’s winner and seeing how they plan to grow their business.”
The company’s origins date back to 1998, as Mr Pickup explained: “It came about because we were extras on Saving Private Ryan [the Oscar-winning war film known for its graphic depiction of the horrors of D-Day].
“I got contacted through that, when a major casting and extras agency in London picked us up. We went on to do Band of Brothers and things like that, and a group of us amputees kept bumping into each other all the time, so we realised that there was a call for it, but weren’t quite sure what to do.
“I had already spotted that there was a niche there, and was considering setting up an agency for amputees but didn’t have the right know-how at the time.
“I left it on the backburner, but four or five years later I kept bumping into the same people so a group of us said ‘let’s do it’.”
The company has since expanded to take on not just film and television work, but also provides 'casualties' for the training of a variety of professionals, such as the emergency services.
The Stelios award, he said, was a major achievement. “For me, it means that the company has now been recognised within the industry as a ‘legit’ proper business, not just some fly-by-night thing that’s going to be here for five minutes. It’s something that’s workable and is a clever idea.”
The award will also provide a welcome financial boost. “This will help. It will help amputees become better actors or role players, and try to build some sort of standard of competency within the industry. We’re obviously looking at building our reputation within the film and TV industry, which is growing year-on-year. There’s plenty of expansion, and if we get it right, over the next four years we are looking to go international or global.”
Mr Pickup lost an arm in a motorcycle accident in 1986. He is, however, still a keen biker. “It doesn’t stop you if you don’t want it to stop you,” he said.
“It’s frame of mind, and a lot of our guys who are amputees have that mindset and go and achieve different things.”
Already, former servicemen who lost limbs in Iraq and Afghanistan have come forward to work for Amputees in Action, demonstrating a resilience and willingness to make the best of their situation.
Pictured: John Pickup (right) with Sir Stelios
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