Waterstons, a Durham headquartered business and IT consultancy, has this month launched the ‘Waterstons Academy’, a new corporate university aimed at nurturing and developing its growing team of consultants.

With an expanding number of employees based in offices across the UK and in Australia, Waterstons has introduced the Academy to meet the needs of its consultants, which are key to the company’s continued growth and success.

Designed to embed learning into employees’ everyday work, the new Academy offers a range of flexible learning courses for employees across all locations on a term-by-term basis.

Waterstons consultants are given ownership of their learning, with course topics being created and delivered by their own people, actively sharing their knowledge in a continual learning environment. The courses are voluntary and integrate blended learning methods such as face-to-face, online and distance learning, self-study and virtual reality, on a multitude of business skills including leadership, risk management and communication.

Waterstons has always had progressive people practices. For 25 years it has offered consultants unlimited holiday, flexible and liberating working practices. The Academy will further differentiate them in the marketplace, help attract top talent and provide the best client experience.

Leanne Cullen, Operations Director at Waterstons, said: “At Waterstons we have strong company values centred around our people. They are our biggest asset and their expertise and skills are key to our business success and for delivering exceptional work for clients.

“As we continue to grow, we want to make sure our consultants do too. Through the Waterstons Academy we can help them develop and thrive in a forward thinking and creative way.”

Heather Lawson, Learning and Development Lead at Waterstons, said: “With our team of consultants continuing to expand and our first international office opening soon, this was an opportune time to refocus our approach to employee learning and development.

“The blended learning approach means that the right skills and knowledge can be shared across our different offices, and it gives consultants ownership of their skills development.”

This year Waterstons will recruit 20 new graduates, placement students and apprentices, and is anticipated to grow to a 200-strong company in 2020. It provides technology based solutions for its clients, helping businesses improve performance and sharpen their competitive edge.