`When abroad, a survival instinct kicks in'

IF RICHARD Nazarewicz had not moved to Spain, he might never have started up his own business.

"If I was back in Britain, I would get a job fairly easily and I would be in a cushy environment," he says. "But when you are abroad, the survival instinct makes you want to start up your own company and struggle more than you would at home."

Two years ago, Mr Nazarewicz, right, started up Planet Red Media in Madrid, which offers IT services to business, working with international clients such as Microsoft and Hewlett Packard.

Mr Nazarewicz, 32, is from Reading, Berkshire, and worked as an IT consultant before moving to Spain "for a life change" four years ago. He worked for other companies before seeing a gap in the market and launching his own firm. He says he has noticed more Britons are now coming to Spain to do the same, typically starting up pubs, restaurants or language schools.

"Most people tend to end up in teaching because there are lots of jobs around," he says.

"But I would never make a good teacher, so I decided to do what I felt comfortable with."

A fluent Spanish speaker, Mr Nazarewicz says that knowing the language is "crucial" to gain respect.