FEATURE
Teamwork – Simon Corbett has grown his workforce at Orangebox Training Solutions . more than that , it probably always was going to be knowing me .”
Before he took that final step he had one last move to make when he joined the National Crime Agency . While he was teaching to the undercover department , he realised he fancied becoming an undercover operative .
“ It was a life-changing role as a UCO ( UnderCover Officer ), I worked all over the world infiltrating crime gangs ,” said Simon .
“ One operation , we infiltrated an Eastern European OCG ( Organised Crime Group ) based overseas importing heroin into the UK . We were there for a purchase of heroin in a pizza shop , crazy .
“ Some of the stories I can tell , some of the things I witnessed during my five years undercover , travelling in Estonia , Spain , Portugal , Africa , all over , you wouldn ’ t believe .”
To think that those experiences all stemmed from his decision to step into developing future undercover operatives might seem a stretch , particularly with that ultimately leading to the creation of Orangebox Training Solutions . But it ’ s true .
The training provider delivers a range of courses to the unemployed , from warehousing and lean manufacturing across the north to health and social care in Bedfordshire and beyond .
Simon ’ s flagship Dynamic Deliveries course , which improves communication and presentation techniques , is the brainchild of his time undercover .
Now Orangebox is looking for an increase of more than £ 2m in the funding it receives
from colleges and primes to ensure it can continue to help at a time of rising unemployment following the pandemic .
It has already helped its partners provide places of employment at the likes of Amazon , Tesco , Dunelm , XPO , Hermes and OneBelow . Recently it launched a health and care training academy in Luton , after success on Teesside .
He said : “ My last job was stressful , but this is a totally different kind of stress , trying to build a culture from all the lessons I have learned from employment in my 30 years .
“ My whole idea centres on creating something very special , where people are the heart of everything we do . We build a culture different to any other organisation , where staff , partners , learners and clients all feel valued .”
When Simon first started , he rented a desk at his brother-in-law ’ s office in Hartlepool .
That progressed to taking over three units at the Innovation Centre , boasting more than 20 members of staff and many more tutors across the region and beyond .
Now Orangebox , which has trained more than 20,000 people since it was formed , is about to take the next leap by moving into the well-positioned and eyecatching Tranquility House by Hartlepool
Marina – soon to light up orange and be a new place to call work .
Simon said : “ I am now going to be co-owning the best office building in Hartlepool with the best views . I met the owner , Andy Rothwell , and discussed renting a floor at first . I was going to walk away because it didn ’ t stack up .
“ But that ’ s where the fire burning in my belly comes back again . Andy got back to me , offered a different proposal , and we are now going to be the proud co-owners . Orangebox will use half of the building and make use of the best business premises in the town .
“ To keep the momentum going within Hartlepool and around a buzzing Tees Valley , in light of everything that has been happening recently , we want to provide opportunities for other businesses to come and share our fantastic facilities at Tranquility House on the other floors .”
What a way to mark Orangebox ’ s fifth birthday !
He added : “ It ’ s perfect . This year has gone way beyond anything I ever dreamed of , I am extremely proud .
“ Not only have we got over 20 great members of staff but we are helping to change hundreds of peoples ’ lives every year and getting them into employment all over the country .”
For further information about Orangebox ’ s commercial training programmes check out orangeboxtraining . com .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 39