Entrepreneurs need to be more persistent with their ideas and not scared of treading a new path, the chief executive of one of the Midlands fastest growing plcs has said.

Richard Harpin, of Walsall-based home insurer Homeserve, said people should not be put off by troubled beginnings.

"I would advise any entrepreneurs to be persistent in their ideas, maintain attention to detail in all areas and to think big," he said.

"Homeserve was not the first business of its kind in the UK but it was my determination to make it work and the unique approach to forming part-nerships and marketing the business that has made it the most successful."

Mr Harpin has built up the £1 billion Homeserve business in just 12 years and it is now the largest supplier to household insurers in the UK.

The company, which has its roots as a subsidiary of South Staffordshire Water, has also recently expanded into Europe and the US.

"Our aim is to be regarded as the "home emergency service" worldwide," Mr Harpin said.

"Since our de-merger with South Staffordshire Water in 2004, our expansion has put us on the right path to achieve this."

Homeserve has over over 4000 employees throughout the company's eleven bases worldwide. The group has expanded through a mix of organic growth and nine acquisitions totalling more than £125 million.