A training company launched by Scots entrepreneur Gio Benedetti has secured a series of lucrative contracts during a frenetic six month burst of activity.

Hamilton-based Green Cross training operates throughout the UK and has won several high-profile deals to provide first aid and health and safety training.

A major success was secured by signing up to provide courses for all Coca Cola’s UK employees.

The company has also landed contracts to provide similar services at  Edinburgh City Council, Highland Council, Scottish Borders Council and the local authority in Newcastle.

Their existing impressive portfolio of clients also includes Coca Cola, Tesco, ASDA, Sainsbury’s and BT.

The additional contracts come after the serial innovator and the father of celebrated violinists Nicola and Stephanie invested  £1 million on innovative systems.

Now there are plans to double the sales force  and plans for expansion through the acquisition of other training firms.

The new contracts comes in the wake of the appointment of Caroline Meikle as business development director.

She said: “We have an impressive array of high-profile clients and every business in every sector in the UK is now on our radar as potential customers.”

The company has established itself as one of the biggest independent provider of courses in the UK with around 50,000 trained last year alone.

Mr Benedetti, who has built and sold businesses worth around £100 million in a stellar career, said:

“Anything I have been involved with I have built from a start-up. It is the same with this company. We have invested significant funds in innovative training management systems. That is now paying off.”

Key to recent growth is the  £1 million ‘Green Cross External Management System’ (GEMS)  training system which offers clients quick and easy access online 24/7 to plan and up-date courses.

Caroline Meikle said: “Our innovative systems keep our cost base down and our clients are able to monitor and control the training activity independently through the GEMS network.”

She added:  “I am in advanced negotiations with some huge brands who employ thousands in a variety of sectors including retail and hospitality.”

Mr Benedetti said: “Caroline is the person who can bring the level of customer service excellence that our customers demand.”

The Italian-born Scot launched his business career when he started a dry-cleaning business at the age of 18. It grew until Mr Benedetti had built one of