Room with a view – Simon Corbett from his balcony at Tranquility House overlooking Hartlepool Marina .
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Former undercover cop has Orangebox Training Solutions flying
hat a journey it has been for exsurveillance officer Simon Corbett . It is one that makes sense too after listening to him describe his career path from the new office balcony looking out over Hartlepool Marina .
Simon ’ s Orangebox Training Solutions has recently celebrated its fifth birthday with the news that it is moving home .
He can now call the top two floors of Tranquillity House , the former home of Utility Alliance , his headquarters after five years in the Innovation Centre on Queens Meadow Business Park .
These are exciting times at Orangebox . The intent is as strong as ever to help more and more people into work , something its founder and chief executive officer always had in mind when he dreamed of setting up his own training company .
But Orangebox is about more than that . It also boasts commercial programmes and works with a number of national and international clients , such as Engie ’ s UK management graduate scheme and others in Dubai .
“ I ’ ve always got fire burning in my belly , totally driven , wanting to do more ,” said Simon , smiling as he looks across his new office floor .
The 47-year-old explained how such desire has always been there , whether that was when he was a goalkeeper / manager in the Northern League or during his time in the police , leading to him taking on challenges some would not even contemplate .
Six years in uniform after joining in 1993 were followed by a stint as a surveillance operative , following criminals in Durham and surrounding areas , where he ended up teaching and training for the county ’ s police force .
That was where the idea for his current chapter first set in . He said : “ It was always my plan to serve my time as a cop , retire , but set up my own training company that would keep me ticking over . It ’ s been
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