A YOUNG man who failed his A-levels and never attended university is flying high as a student of enterprise.

Chris Mole is working with Richard Austin, the man who built Evesham Technology into a £100 million turnover company, and is excelling as a product director of the firm's satellite navigation unit.

Prior to working with Evesham Technology Chris was the founder of a company selling computers to students - studentdesktops.com - an idea he had while sitting in a physics exam.

"You can teach someone to be a good business person but you can't teach them to take gambles," he said.

The 21-year-old's computer sales reached £300,000 in the first four months, resulting in him having to approach another supplier because the original manufacturer couldn't keep up the demand.

Chris approached the Evesham company boss who, impressed with his ideas, offered him a job.

Chris launched Evesham's E to Students scheme and within three months the division had turned over £2 million.

The 21-year-old has gone onto establish Evesham's in-car satellite navigation system, a product he identified in early 2004.

As the unit's director at Evesham Technology, Chris, from Newcastle, is responsible for negotiating with major buyers and keeping an eye on developments.

Speaking to the Journal yesterday Chris said: "Although I am not from this area, I've found that people here are very willing to take a risk. I came to Evesham Technology with trepidation because I was leaving behind my own business and putting my faith in someone else who had already proved he was successful.

Chris has no plans, as yet, to set up a company of his own but believes his learned more in Evesham than he could have hoped to at university.