Mark Bailey has launched Greensleeves Surrey & Sussex Borders after 30 years in IT, while Scott Maltby has taken over Greensleeves West Notts, following 25 years in telecoms with BT and Openreach.
Both were looking for a new direction and for Mark, who has spent much of his career investing in his own professional development, the structured learning behind the franchise was an important part of making the transition.
His onboarding combined head-office training in operations, marketing, systems and lawn care with technical certification and ongoing practical support from his Business Development Manager in his territory.
“The training gives you a strong foundation. But what I have really valued is that the learning continues once you get out into the business,” said Mark.
Now working with customers across the Surrey and Sussex Borders, Mark is refining his own processes and building confidence in the territory, supported by regular time in the field with his Business Development Manager, Nick. His longer-term ambition is to develop a multi-territory operation, giving him a clear goal as he establishes the foundations of his first Greensleeves business.
Scott, on the other hand, had already been a Greensleeves customer for several years and was familiar with the service. Redundancy, however, prompted him to consider business ownership and to investigate the franchise for himself.
Initial training included time with the Greensleeves team and Origin Amenity Solutions, one of Greensleeves’ supplier partners, covering the products, treatments and technical knowledge behind professional lawn care. He was then joined in his territory by his dedicated Business Development Manager, helping him apply that learning while meeting customers and getting accustomed to the day-to-day operation.
With their initial training behind them, both franchisees are now focused on translating what they have learned into their own businesses – building experience with customers, developing their routines and beginning to shape their plans for growth, with continued support from their Business Development Managers as they settle into their territories.
Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves, said: “Nobody should finish their initial training believing they know everything about running the business – that is not what good onboarding is designed to achieve. We want franchisees to leave with strong foundations, the confidence to make a start and, just as importantly, an understanding of where to turn when they encounter something new.
According to Cheryl Harper the first few months are when that knowledge really starts to click into place. A technical session with Origin might suddenly become relevant on a customer lawn, time out in the territory with a Business Development Manager can help turn theory into practice, or a conversation with an experienced franchisee might help solve a business challenge.
Key takeaways
- Mark Bailey has launched Greensleeves Surrey and Sussex Borders after 30 years in IT, combining head-office training in operations, marketing and lawn care with technical certification from the BASIS Professional Register.
- Scott Maltby has taken on Greensleeves North Bristol and South Gloucestershire, bringing experience in the automotive industry and having already been a Greensleeves customer for several years before joining.
- Both franchisees completed initial training with the Greensleeves team and Origin Amenity Solutions, one of Greensleeves’ supplier partners, before launching their territories.
- Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves, says initial training is a foundation – the real learning happens in the first few months of trading, when knowledge starts to click into place through real customer interactions.
- A trusted support network is available to franchisees throughout their first year and beyond, ensuring they are never working through challenges alone.
