History of Broadbean
2001 - Birth of The Bean
Broadbean was founded by Kelly Robinson a serial entrepreneur with 15 years experience running staffing companies after he became frustrated that there was no quality web-based advert distribution service available. Knowing the time constraints recruiters face, he started the company on a shoe string budget in borrowed office space.
2002 - The first clients
Kelly secured deals with the first of our clients; Aston Carter, Zarak Group and Networkers MSB all of which are still with us today. It was at this time that Kelly asked a 21 year old Dan McGuire to join the business. Dan believed in the concept so strongly that he agreed to work for free in return for shares. This formed the start of a great partnership and the pair agreed on one simple goal "to post the world's online adverts"!
2003 - Aplitrak- Changing the way Recruiters advertise online
Already a strong player in the market, we acquired the customer base and technology from former market leader Castle Links.
Contributing to c40% of Broadbeans revenue, Aplitrak was the Brain child of our now Technical Director, Luke Hopkins. The system, which records the source of each candidate application, has been a revolutionarily contributor to how recruiters advertise their jobs and tracks the ROI from their online advertising spend.
2004 - Award for Innovation
Aplitrak was the subject of an ATSCo award for Technical Innovation this year.
Turning over £250k the bean grew to four members of staff.
2005 - Exceeding the £1 million target
We acquired customer base of WebSalvo and by October 2006 hit £1m in turnover for the first time.
2006 - 13,000 Bean users
Bean love was becoming a national phenomenon and we acquired our 600th client and 13,000th User.
The promotion of Ricky Wheeler to Marketing Director helped us scoop Best Offline Marketing and Best Online Marketing Awards at Onrec.
Designed to allow technology partners to integrate their database applications with job posting product, AdCourier, Hybrid was launched and went on to win Best Technical Innovation at Onrec February 2007.
2007 - Fast growth and excellent accolades
Ranked in the Deloitte Fast 50, The Bean is the UK's 27th fastest growing technology company. After 5 years with the business, Dan McGuire received the Young Entrepreneur of The Year prize at the Growing Business Awards where he fought off excellent competitors for the title. At the same ceremony The Bean Team were finalists in the Innovative Company of the year category for our wacky but wonderful quirks. Contributing to this entry was evidence of our team spirit and the work we do with charity. We also received highly commendable status for our Innovative Technology at the London and South East Recruitment Awards. At only 26, Dan also received acknowledgement in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Today we are market leaders, have over 30 employees and will turnover £2m this year. Sales for Q1 are up for 110% on 2006 and over 700% on 2005. There is a 97% renewal rate and we are currently the largest network in Europe and the fastest expanding globally.
2008 - Still lots to do
Moving forward Broadbean has and continues to make new hires in all departments. A presence has been made in the Midlands and regional offices are planned for later on this year as well as San Diego and Asian offices in the near future.
