Celebrating 20 Years of Nine Twenty Recruitment: A Heartfelt Thank You, From Gordon Brown
August 2024 marks a significant milestone for Nine Twenty Recruitment—our 20th anniversary. As I reflect on the incredible journey, I am filled with gratitude for the people who have been part of this adventure. From our humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the recruitment industry, this story is one of passion, perseverance, and the power of teamwork.
The Beginning: From a Spare Bedroom to a Thriving Business
It all started in August 2004 when Wendy McDougall and I co-founded Nine Twenty Recruitment. Wendy, who I affectionately refer to as my big sister, taught me everything I know about being a great technology recruiter. Her competitive spirit and unwavering determination set the tone for Nine Twenty, a culture that thrives to this day. We began in her spare bedroom on Cleveden Drive in Glasgow, working tirelessly to get the business off the ground.
One of the highlights of those early days was our weekly Friday lunch, generously provided by Wendy's dad, Kenny. We were both investing everything into the business and had little to spare, so that M&S meal deal never tasted so good! Kenny also played a crucial role as our chairman, guiding us through the challenges of running a business as young entrepreneurs. His wisdom and support were invaluable, and those kitchen diner board meetings were instrumental in shaping Nine Twenty's future.
Building a Reputation: Key Relationships and Early Successes
Nine Twenty was built on a passion for our sector, honesty, and genuine care for our clients and candidates. Wendy's tenacity was infectious, and I gave it my all. Together, we created something special. The journey was a roller coaster, full of ups and downs, but we were fortunate to have key people who believed in us and helped us succeed. Our first major breakthrough came with our RPO partnership with Gael Software, thanks to Donald Maciver's belief in us. Then there was Dave Carrick at Memex Software, who gave us the opportunity to help build his team, and Stephen Robertson from Metis Partners, who constantly challenged us in a highly competitive sector. Their trust and support were pivotal in Nine Twenty's growth.
Growing the Team: The Importance of People
As Nine Twenty evolved, so did our team. Laura Armstrong joined us nearly 14 years ago, and I still remember her presentation to Wendy and me in our small meeting room at Lyndoch Place. Laura was immaculate, prepared, and a little nervous. She joined Nine Twenty to build and drive our delivery function and has been my rock ever since. Her work ethic and success with clients speak volumes, and I trust her implicitly. Laura has been with me through every major decision, including the MBO with Wendy—a moment that felt as dramatic and exciting as a scene from a movie.
As we grew, we ventured into new sectors, made mistakes, and learned valuable lessons. But what remained constant was our commitment to improvement and evolution. This commitment is down to our people, past and present, who have all contributed to Nine Twenty's success.
The Future: A Legacy of Leadership
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been watching my colleagues grow and evolve. Chris Lowden is a perfect example. I remember meeting Chris for the first time in a local coffee shop, where his big smile and infectious laugh immediately stood out. We clicked, and I knew Chris needed to be part of Nine Twenty. Over the last 10 years, I've seen him become a husband, father, and business partner. His late father, Jimmy, would be immensely proud of the man Chris has become.
Then there's Karen Stewart, who joined Nine Twenty over eight years ago with a clear vision of running her own business and building something special. Karen's hard work and passion for her sector are evident to everyone at Nine Twenty. I've been with her every step of the way, supporting her as she has grown into a strong, caring, and passionate leader. She's been instrumental in building our brand and launching our InSp-hire events, and her energy lights up every room she enters. In the past three years, we've launched new verticals that are becoming real successes. A special shout-out to Danielle Scott, our latest Director.
Stay tuned for an exciting announcement about our new Director for Digital and Marketing. Nine Twenty is not standing still—we are constantly evolving, and I'm proud to be part of a business that allows people to grow with it.
A Special Thank You
None of this would have been possible without the support of our incredible team and Business Partners. To my "work dad," Alan Crockert, thank you for always being there for me, for listening, supporting, and offering a comforting arm when needed. After 25 years in recruitment and 20 years with Nine Twenty, I consider myself the luckiest man in the world to have business partners I love dearly and a team that works so hard.
As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of Nine Twenty's journey. To all our partners, clients and candidates, thank you very much and lastly to my gorgeous wife Melanie Brown and inspiring Daughter Ruby - Here's to the next 20 years and beyond!
