A FORMER specialist operations police officer who worked on some of the UK’s most dangerous and covert operations has launched his own training company.

Simon Corbett, 42, started his career as a police constable working for Durham Constabulary based in Peterlee - but quickly climbed the ranks and secured himself a place working for the National Crime Agency and deployed on investigations across the world.

In addition to his operational duties, he qualified as a trainer and passed on his skills to hundreds of his fellow officers.

When he left policing after more than two decades earlier this year, he decided to put his training skills to use, and launched Orangebox Training Solutions Limited, based on Queens Meadow Business Park, in Hartlepool.

He now leads a team of eight who deliver courses on health and safety, manual handling, first aid, food hygiene, presentation skills, and childcare, including safeguarding and early years.

He said: “We’re different to other training providers and that’s because of the trainers we have on board.

“They have been trained to the level I believe is needed for them to effectively engage with their audience – whether it be six people or 200 people – to maximum effect.

“A lot of employees will have been on courses where they’re almost falling asleep because they’re so bored, or they can’t connect with the trainer. The company which has paid that trainer has basically wasted its money.

“On average, a person will remember 50 per cent of a presentation, and that will reduce to 25 per cent the next day. A week later it’s down to 10 per cent.

“We have changed that, and people will be remembering 60 per cent of the course a week later, which is a massive difference.”

He added: “My trainers, and myself with my background, have real-life stories and situations, as well as the best training, to grip our audiences to maximum effect.”

Mr Corbett has plans to expand the business and deliver accredited training courses to the gas and oil sector overseas.