Linda Barclay: 33 Years of Keeping People Safe at Work with Evolve Training

In this episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson speaks with Linda Barclay, Managing Director of Evolve Training in Aberdeen, about the business of workplace safety, the value of practical training, and how a family-founded company has grown by helping people come home from work safely.

Founded in 1993 by Linda’s parents, Evolve Training began by helping businesses understand risk assessments, COSHH and health and safety requirements. Over the years it has developed into a respected training business delivering forklift, confined space, first aid, working at height and other practical workplace safety training across multiple sectors.

In this conversation, Linda shares how she joined the business, what it means to lead it today, why practical face-to-face training still matters, and what businesses often misunderstand when they treat training as just another compliance task.

This episode explores Linda Barclay’s perspective on workplace training, practical learning and health and safety based on her professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help businesses think more clearly about training and workforce safety, but specific requirements will vary depending on the sector and role.

About Linda Barclay

Linda Barclay is the Managing Director of Evolve Training in Aberdeen, a family business that has been helping organisations improve safety and practical workplace competence for over 30 years. Her background includes first aid, training delivery and operational leadership across the business.

In this episode

• Linda shares how Evolve Training began and why her parents started the business.
• She explains how the company grew from a back bedroom into a major training facility.
• She talks about joining the family business and eventually becoming Managing Director.
• She discusses why practical, face-to-face training is still so important.
• She explains the risks businesses face when training is treated as just compliance.
• She highlights the importance of adapting training to individual learners.
• She shares what makes Evolve different in a competitive market.

Key takeaways

One of the strongest messages in this episode is that workplace training should not be reduced to paperwork or certification alone. Linda makes the case that good training builds confidence, understanding and safer behaviour, especially when it is practical and tailored to the people doing the work.

The episode also highlights the value of long-term trust in business. Evolve’s reputation has been built not just on compliance knowledge, but on consistency, service and genuine care over more than three decades.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction
• 00:45 How Evolve Training began
• 03:00 How the business grew over time
• 04:00 Linda’s route into the business
• 05:00 Her vision for the future
• 06:00 The biggest mistakes businesses make
• 09:00 Why practical face-to-face training matters
• 13:00 Why training should not just be compliance
• 15:00 What to look for in a training provider
• 18:00 How Evolve stays relevant and adaptable
• 20:00 Cost versus quality in training
• 23:00 The deeper value of workplace training
• 24:00 Where to find Evolve Training

Links

Linda Barclay

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Evolve Training

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UK Business IQ

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Final thought

This is a practical, thoughtful conversation about safety, service and the kind of business that builds trust over decades. A strong episode for anyone responsible for people, process and standards at work.