I swapped 999 calls for 99s and now I make £60k a year profit from ice cream By Marcus Liu – Business Editor April 17, 2026 James Shemmeld, a 46-year-old former paramedic from Newcastle-under-Lyme, made a dramatic career shift after leaving the NHS emergency services to run his own ice cream business. He now operates four ice cream vans that generate approximately £60,000 in annual profit, working just three days a week. This income comes on top of the £200,000 profit he earns from his private ambulance and paramedic service, which he runs from his home. The combination of these ventures allows him to maintain a flexible schedule while significantly increasing his earnings compared to his previous full-time role in emergency medicine. Shemmeld’s story highlights a growing trend of skilled professionals leaving traditional public sector roles to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in niche markets. His success demonstrates how leveraging existing skills in logistics, customer service, and emergency response can translate effectively into running a mobile food business. The Irish Sun featured his journey under the headline “Cream of Crop,” emphasizing the financial and lifestyle benefits of his career change. By focusing on high-traffic locations and seasonal demand, Shemmeld has built a sustainable model that maximizes profit with minimal weekly hours. His experience underscores the potential for public service workers to achieve greater financial independence and work-life balance through compact business ownership, particularly in seasonal industries with strong local appeal.
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