A company director from a fast growing business in County Durham has signed up Teesside University’s Help to Grow programme.
Michael Monkman, Commercial Director at Belmont-based Orca Cleaning Services, was introduced to Lucie Burton, who runs the programme, at East Durham Business Network’s most recent event at Seaham Hall.
Michael’s role will encompass scheduling and pricing of jobs, management of the teams and growing Orca’s client base while maintaining the company’s excellent reputation.
Orca, which was founded by Holly and Steve Holmes, recently became one of East Durham Business Network’s flagship sponsors. It is an industrial cleaning specialist working with some of the region’s biggest businesses and organisations, including Amazon and PD Ports.
Speaking about his decision to enlist on the programme, Michael said: “”I am really looking forward to starting the Help to Grow management programme, particularly learning more about employee engagement and winning new markets.
“Steve and Holly have brought me into the business to enhance the day to day operations, focus on staff development and grow the client base and locations so this course is perfect for what we are looking to achieve at Orca.”
Help to Grow, which is managed through the university’s International Business School, is designed to be undertaken alongside full-time work.
The time commitment is 50 hours over 12 weeks and the course is 90 per cent funded with an up front cost of £750 to participants.
Through a combination of online and face-toface sessions alongside case study workshops, Help to Grow gives people the opportunity to apply the concepts being taught to real-life situations faced by business leaders.
Lucie Burton, Business Development Manager at Teesside University’s International Business School, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Michael onto the programme.
“Given his new role at Orca Cleaning Services, Help to Grow is idea for him and will equip him with the tools to take the company on the next phase of its growth journey.”
To find out more about Help to Grow visit www.tees.ac.uk/schools/tubs/help_to_grow