WAY back in 1994, Tim Berners-Lee was inventing a new way of worldwide communication – the world wide web – or the internet, as we now call it.
Adrian Green was also inventing – his vision was a friendly, adaptable and leading-edge training company that only uses professional trainers. The Development Company officially opened on 1 March 1994, and thanks to our clients, we are celebrating 25 years of being your learning partner.
In 1994, clients came through networking, conferences, and writing books. Adrian wrote two business books for trainers (Gower Publishing), spoke at IPD (now CIPD) conferences, and he found his extensive network of connections brought early clients such as Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Barclays Bank.
In 1995, Adrian co-founded IPD In-Company Solutions; a branch of the (now) CIPD that delivered in-company training courses such as Recruitment & Selection, Leadership Skills, and Appraisal Skills. Adrian co-designed the original Certificate in Training Practice, via BACIE in the early 1990s, and the IPD embraced his format for the training qualification.
Kay Buckby joined in 1995 and brought strategic thinking with her.
Going back to the world wide web – The Development Company was an early adopter, and we’ve connected with many clients since our first website in 1999 – www.thedevco.com/
We are global partners to Villeroy & Boch for Leadership Skills & Train the Trainer programmes; provider of coaching qualifications to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital, and we’re proud to say that Northamptonshire Chamber has been a continual client throughout our 25 years. We provide open and in-company courses for the Chamber, including Supervisory Skills, Email Etiquette and Chairing Meetings.
The Development Company became an ITOL (Institute of Training & Occupational Learning) Delivery Centre in 2009. We are licensed to design and deliver both Foundation (level 3) and Certificate (level 5) Train the Trainer and Coaching qualifications for clients. We also accredit in-company programmes through ITOL – if you want managers to be accredited internally, this raises the standards in your business. Gloucestershire Constabulary are a current client for accredited Recruitment & Selection Interviewing skills.
Louise Plant joined as apprentice in 2011 and is now our e-learning author. We have interactive e-learning courses in Time Management, Job Interview Skills, and Minute Taking skills, as well as an online Level 5 ITOL Training qualification.
New for 2019 – we have our own Learning Management System (LMS), ideal for clients who want to host online content, videos and e-learning at an affordable price.
What’s next? This year, our online Certificate in Coaching will be released, so let us know if you are interested.
On reaching this milestone, Adrian said: “There will always be the need for face-to-face delivery, however technology needs to be embraced by learning providers. Online learning is ideal for those who prefer to learn at their own pace, and in their own time: and the online forum means I can view a training session, or a coaching session, and provide timely mentor and coach support.”
Kay continued: “We see the future of learning being less content, more learner driven, and adaptive learning. We’ve used the flipped classroom approach for years – by using social learning, TED talks and sharing theory before the event, we make our learner time meaningful. I don’t need to do long inputs on theory when it is all out there.”
We are proud to be the learning partner for many clients, big and small and, as Lisa Haggar, Group HR Director for Ascend Learning, says: “Why use another training partner when you have The Development Company?”
If you need a learning partner, contact us on or by calling 01604 810801.
The Development Company
Tel: 01604 810801 Email: Website: www.thedevco.com