counter signature for student finance

i don't have a valid passport so need a counter signature for my birth certificate, im not sure who to ask. I left collage 3 years ago so don't know if i could ask an old tutor (if i was even able to track one down).

Only person I can think of is a friend who runs a local business (he is a professional and I'm pretty sure he has a degree).

will he be ok?

thanks

A professional what?

Chairman/Director of a limited company

Director/Manager of a VAT-registered company