THE boss of an online training company had a very personal reason for moving to new offices at the Business Central development, in Darlington.

Elamb, founded by Mark Wilson in 2007, creates and delivers eLearning and online assessments and his recent move to Business Central prompted his father to dig out the family’s photo albums.

Mr Wilson comes from a family of entrepreneurs and in the 1800’s his great great grandfather Robert Wilson, who was Mayor of Darlington, along with ED Walker, a chief clerk at Darlington train station, had the foresight to set up stalls on the platform of North Road station selling newspapers and books to the passengers.

The company’s head office was built on the land Business Central now occupies and three generations later, ED Walker & Wilson was sold to John Menzies in 1985.

Mr Wilson has chosen to return to the site with his own business, explaining the journey back to his roots.

He said: “At university I did a dissertation on the hair and beauty industry, and after five years in financial sales in London, I wanted to start my own business.

“Salon Owners who helped me with my dissertation started calling me up to ask for my advice on business matters so in a way I fell into becoming a business mentor to the industry.

"After a couple of years I couldn’t grow my business any further as I had no more of my time to give…although I was earning less than I was in London, so I started delivering my support via e-learning, and from there my business just took off.

"Focusing mainly on the hair and beauty and hospitality sectors we took on clients such as InterContinental Hotel Group, Q Hotels, Toni & Guy and L’Oreal.

“I started signing 5 year deals with customers which gave me the confidence and necessity to expand.

“I needed to attract high quality people to join me and I found that Darlington was the right place, as proved when taking on a sales director, Mark Ackers who lives in Newcastle but catches the train to work.”

“When I first visited Business Central I had to wear a hard hat and once the build was complete I kept reading about others moving in, and to be honest I was envious and felt a strange pull to the site.”

“There are many benefits to being at Business Central, for me it is the proximity of the train station making it easier to attract high quality team members. We have customers in Doncaster and Hull so instead of driving I now jump on the train as it’s so much easier. Some days I even bike in as the Centre has bike storage and shower facilities, which is great. Not to mention I can walk into the town centre.”

Vanessa Wood, centre manager added: “It was fantastic to welcome Mark to our centre and also fascinating to learn about his family’s history with the site. Business Central is more than just a building now it has become its very own business community and I look forward to seeing Elamb prosper from here.”

FIVE minutes with Mark Wood, founder of Elamb.

Favourite North-East building and why?

I don’t take much notice of buildings as I prefer views and vistas but I suppose the Tyne Bridge as it is symbolic of the North-East, or the Angel of North.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?

Bloomberg LP: Financial Software Sales – starting salary was £28,000…but I made tie dye t-shirts when I was 16 in the school holidays and sold them on to friends for £5.

What is the worst job you've had?

Setting up fireworks for a display in Edinburgh Castle, it was pouring with rain and freezing.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner?

Maybe a shepherds pie, but the last time I made that, one of the guests went into labour…3 weeks early.

What would your superpower be?

I would love to be able read people’s minds; it would take the fun out of closing deals but would make it so much easier.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party.

Easy: All 4 of my grandparents as 3 of them passed away before I had time to get to know them and the grandmother I did get to know was amazing.

Most expensive thing you've bought - other than car or house - and how much?

Probably my triathlon bike, I don’t want to say how much because my wife may read this.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

I don’t really follow anyone on Twitter.

Favourite book?

I like Wilbur Smith books, such as When The Lion Feeds as they are about heroes and villains.

When did you last cry?

Men don’t admit to crying do they…a well up a lot when Mufasa dies in The Lion King.

What is your greatest achievement?

Completing an Ironman in 2013.

What's the best piece of advice in business you've ever been given?

Those people who have never made a mistake, have never tried something new. You learn more from your mistakes.

Favourite animal and why.

I have always like Rhino’s for some reason.

Most famous person on your mobile phone.

Toni Mascolo - Toni from Toni&Guy hairdressers.

What was the last band you saw live?

Foo Fighters.

Describe your perfect night in.

Sausage, beans and mash for dinner. My six year old daughter singing karaoke followed by watching some rugby.

In another life I would be...

A school headmaster.

Who would play you in a film of your life

I get told a lot that I look like Stephen Dorff, Ben Affleck and Hugh Laurie so probably one of them. I don’t think I look like any of them.

What irritates you?

Arrogance and people showing off on social media.

What's your secret talent?

I see dead people...