Posted:22-September-2026
New careers take root as Greensleeves recruits put training into practice
Two new Greensleeves Lawn Care franchisees are putting their training into practice as they take their first steps into business ownership following lengthy careers in IT and telecoms.
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 but have brought very different experience and perspectives into their first weeks with the network.
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’ve really valued is that the learning continues once you get out into the business,” said Mark. “I’ve spent time with other franchisees to understand how they operate, and I’ve had that hands-on support from the Greensleeves team as I’ve started putting everything into practice. You quickly realise everyone has developed slightly different ways of working. You can learn from those experiences and start building an approach that works for your own business.”
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 approached the opportunity from another direction. Having already been a Greensleeves customer for several years, he knew the service before redundancy prompted him to consider business ownership and to investigate the franchise for himself.
His 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.
“The first week was intense because there was a lot to take in, but I’m still finding myself out on jobs thinking back to something we covered on the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday,” said Scott. “We went into everything from chafer grubs and leatherjackets to when and how different products should be applied, as well as the health and safety involved.
“Coming from Openreach, I was already used to working outside and dealing with health and safety, but I was impressed by how thorough the whole operation was. Once you’re out there doing the job for yourself, you realise just how much of that training you’re drawing on.”
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 isn’t 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.
“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’s 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. That combination of formal training, specialist expertise and ongoing support from the network is what helps people keep developing long after launch.”
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