A former Egg worker who set up a business coaching consultancy has just won his first major deal - with a company set up by another former colleague!

Martin Rodgers worked for eight years at the Egg banking centre in Pride Park, Derby, in collections and sales, but was made redundant by Citibank in 2009.

Despite the difficult economic times and health setbacks Martin used his skills and experience to set up Exceed Coaching, which recently re-branded as Success Academy based at Martin's Derby home.

Now he has just won a deal to work with Marketing Mole, which generates leads for other businesses and was set up by former Egg worker Jon McPhee two years ago.

Based in Mallard Way on Pride Park it now has seven full-time staff and Success Academy is using its expertise to increase this in anticipation of further growth.

Martin said: "Success Academy is a one-stop shop helping sole traders, start-ups and established businesses with tailored solutions. It helps them put in the right systems on website design, social media and networking, but also develop business and growth plans, financial forecasting and give them a good foundation on which to build.

"As businesses develop Success Academy helps them to keep their ethos and philosophy fresh but also retain customers and motivate staff to get the best out of them.

"I am delighted to be working again with Jon to help grow his business which, in turn, will help others to expand."

Martin has also been helping Recommended Hotels of Clay Cross, a promotions company which encourages people to use independently-owned and managed hotels in the UK and Ireland. That has grown by developing the staff through leadership and management techniques.