8. Powerchex

Founder: Alexandra Kelly
Website: www.powerchex.co.uk

Alexandra was made redundant just a few weeks before she’d planned to hand in her notice to start her pre-employment candidate screening service for the financial services sector. Her good fortune prevailed – turnover is approaching the million pound mark and the company has enjoyed phenomenal growth since it started in 2005. Current turmoil in the financial sector looks set to keep that growth going strong.

Alexandra says she can barely keep up with the increasing amounts of office space needed. The 2007 Startups Awards judges were so impressed with what the company had to offer its clients (a five day turnaround for each candidate) they named Powerchex service business of the year.