The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Overseas venture
Angus training firm eyes expansion
An Arbroath-based training company set up by two former Royal Marines is now looking at setting up an office in mainland Europe.
IED Training Solutions, which celebrates its third anniversary this month, was founded by Afghanistan veterans Ian Clark and Paul Barrett.
The pair’s careers include notching up a total of more than 40 years’ service in the Royal Marines before they decided to start IED to help change cultures in the workplace.
Their company currently has a staff of three plus 16 consultants and has trained more than 1,000 people – primarily in health & safety, leadership, trauma management, first aid, fire awareness and plant.
A wide range of clients include big names such as Wood, National Express, Veolia, Kier Group, NHS and the MOD.
IED provides training and consultancy services throughout the UK, and now wants to open an office in the Netherlands.
The potential move into mainland Europe follows the roll-out last autumn by IED of Britain’s only industryapproved trauma stress management course to a team of former military personnel from the Netherlands and UK.
The course aims to keep employees of organisations functioning after incidents or accidents which may otherwise manifest into worry, stress, anxiety or depression.
IED continues to seek fresh business opportunities at home and abroad, but just a decade ago, the likelihood of Ian and Paul even being able to start their own venture appeared remote after Paul was badly injured in Afghanistan and needed a long recovery.
However, he returned to full health following a six-year journey of courage, grit and determination. Paul has become a motivational speaker, scaled Ben Nevis and raised money for charity.
Managing director Ian outlined why the Arbroath pair had set up their own business: “We had amassed a great deal of experience and knowledge throughout our respective careers and wanted to provide training which was credible and thought-provoking whilst challenging and changing cultures in the workplace.
“IED’S range of services continue to evolve as existing and new clients identify that we provide critical, practical support whilst building trusted relationships.
“Many organisations are looking for a training provider who can positively influence behaviours and we focus on building focused, cohesive and resilient teams similar to the strong team foundation absolutely vital in the Royal Marines.”
IED recently announced it had become the UK’S first training provider to qualify to deliver a new health and safety course.
The NCFE IOSH Level 3 Certificate in Safety and Health for Business builds on existing Institution of Occupational Safety and Health courses.
Since setting up, IED has worked closely with IOSH to secure accreditation of a number of its courses.
“For some time now, we have been delivering the managing safely course to our clients, including a number of Royal Marines, and we know that they are very keen to move on to the next level to further their knowledge and understanding with the Level 3 course.
“IED has placed a great importance on compliance, and this saw the company achieve ISO 9001 accreditation in 2017. This commitment to our quality management process is viewed as a vital requirement and ensures we comply with new client ‘approved suppliers’ due-diligence processes.”
The managing director said IED continues on an upward trajectory, with more expansion anticipated.
He added: “In addition to the possible new office in the Netherlands, the requirement for a larger office space and additional admin staff is likely.”
Asked about the biggest challenges and opportunities facing IED, Ian said these include ensuring the operational and logistical footprint for the company is capable of meeting the demands of new and existing clients.
“By continuing to do everything very well, I believe that other opportunities will present themselves,” he added.