TWO former regional training managers for Marks and Spencer plan to start their eighth year running their own business by helping women return to work.

Linda Banister and Tracy Francksen, who launched Red Door Training and Coaching in January 2009, provide leadership, customer service and job share training and, in conjunction with South Gloucestershire Council, run regular over career workshops for the over 50s.

Now the pair, who job shared at M&S for 10 years, hope to offer a similar workshop for women who want to return to their careers after time out to have children or a career break.

“We want to grow the job share training,” said Linda, who alongside Tracy is co-chairman of Sodbury and Yate Business Association. “We think there is something in that and women returning to work.

“We did it for 10 years and if we hadn’t we would not be running Red Door as well as we do now.

“We bounced ideas off each other and stopped being I and started being a We. Everything we sent out had to represent both of us.”

Said Tracy: “We have invented a course for women returning to work from maternity as a job share.

“Because we did it for such a long time we have created it ourselves and it is something we want to develop.”

The company has gone from strength to strength since its inception seven years ago. Now boasting a client base of 50, Linda and Tracy work with eight top universities including Goldsmith University in London as well as local firms such as Yate Supplies.

“We still have clients who were our first when we started,” said Tracy. “What we have learnt is that running your own business takes time and if I could, I would tell myself seven years ago that nothing is going to happen quickly.”

Linda added: “Every week is different and every week something happens that makes you smile.

“We love what we do and we want to help others in business, that is one of our trademarks. We had a lot of help when we first started and we always make a point of giving something back.”

Red Door hopes to hold a workshop for women returning to work shortly. For further information visit reddoorcoachingandtraining.co.uk