Former footballer turned entrepreneur’s Redcar business sets out 'ambitious goal'

A former professional footballer turned entrepreneur is forging ahead with “ambitious” plans for his business from a base in his home town of Redcar.

Craig Haley’s RAH Group, named after his late father Bob, is a recent arrival at UKSE’s Innovation Centre on the Kirkleatham Business Park.

RAH Group is not only expanding Edge Services, the specialist training company it acquired in 2021, but has also now taken a stake in Oculus Integrity Services, providers of integrity testing to a wide range of industries and also based at the Innovation Centre.

Craig commented: “I had wanted to go into business for a long time and my father and I had many discussions about it. I can see real potential for growth at Edge Services, Oculus and for the RAH Group and am excited about the future.

“Being born and bred in Redcar it is great to have the Innovation Centre’s workspace and facilities on my doorstep and the support from the UKSE team on-site is invaluable. We have ambitious plans for continued national growth at Edge Services and the Teesside and North Yorkshire area will play a particularly important part in those.”

As a provider of specialist training in the manual handling of patients, Edge Services already has a “strong reputation” built up over 24 years in the health and social care sector.

Its range of courses is provided at 11 UK training centres as well as in-house for more than 175 clients. They include BUPA, local councils, care homes, schools and universities, the National Autistic Society, Alzheimer’s Society, Barnardo’s and Royal British Legion.

With the recent introduction of a major programme supporting those involved with dementia care and plans to extend its services into new sectors, including the sporting and business worlds, Edge is looking for experienced nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists to join its team of trainers.

Craig continued: “This is a sector where demand is growing. The experience and expertise of our trainers is key to the business and we have a strong team that we value highly.”

Diane Parker of UKSE, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary, added: “We are delighted that RAH Group and Oculus chose to make the Innovation Centre their home. We have around 50 businesses here involved in everything from textiles, drilling and freight to finance and fundraising and it is a friendly and supportive community.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

• Add me on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date
• And follow Bdaily on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Submit press releases to editor@bdaily.co.uk for consideration.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →