Online Business of the Year 2011

Founders: David Grimes and Paul Haydock Year started: 2010 Website: www.myparceldelivery.com

Founded just 18 months ago, myParcelDelivery.com has transformed the complexion of the UK parcel courier market. The site, founded by Cambridge graduates David Grimes and Paul Haydock, provides a single portal for the management of parcel deliveries, controlling all aspects of the process from initial search to final delivery tracking. Users can book a delivery in just four steps, and the software links directly to eBay – ideal for e-tailers using the site.

Founders David Grimes and Paul Haydock have managed to secure partnerships with some of the world’s biggest courier firms, such as DHL, TNT and UPS. These partnerships have yielded huge high-volume discounts, which myParcelDelivery.co.uk passes on to its customers. The website offers savings of over 80% on certain services – ideal for small businesses looking to reduce troublesome overheads.

The company delivered more than 2,000 parcels in the first two months of trading, and surpassed all financial projections in its first year, turning over £1.5m with an exceptional profit margin of almost 30%. Revenues have grown by 480% since January, and the customer retention rate is currently running at 78%. Having secured top spot in the Google rankings for the term ‘parcel delivery,’ Grimes and Haydock are sure to achieve further growth in the months to come.

Judges’ comments: The online sector continues to grow dramatically, and not surprisingly this was one of the most competitive categories, with three very impressive shortlisted businesses. The judges were impressed by the impressive turnover and profits achieved already, and by recently won contracts and preferred supplier status which should see myparceldelivery grow substantially more over the next few years.