OUR HISTORY

Our journey as an IT solutions and recruitment provider began in 2001. Over the years, we have gone onto expand our service offering as the company grew in size.

Our supporters were never just customers, they enhanced our business, provided insights and positive critique and helped to shape the proposition and continue to do so today. Each relationship was based on trust, respect and integrity.

Discover Crimson's key events and milestones since 2000.

2000

Crimson’s life began as Software Academy Limited in 2000. Crimson founder Simon Chave was contracted via Modis Limited into TNT as a freelance contractor.

2001

In Spring 2001, Software Academy Limited became Crimson Limited, and on the 1st of May 2001 Crimson officially launched in co-founder Rob Mallaband’s garage. John Pooler was Crimson’s first contract placement, who was placed with Sirius Financial Services in Sutton Coldfield. The initial domain www.crimson.ws was bought.

2002

Rob and Simon were joined by Mike Ames and Joanna Hawkins, resulting in four people working in Rob’s garage. This lead to a new office at The Courtyard, on Coleshill’s High Street. The current domain www.crimson.co.uk was purchased. Crimson won an ‘agency management’ deal with gedas UK (VWG).  

2003

The first Crimson Ball took place at Hoar Cross Hall. Judith Wilson, Crimson’s longest serving employee joined the team.

2004

First year attending the IT Directors Forum – we have attended this every year since! Tom Cadman joined in January to run a £4.2m programme with a team based in India; largest .NET project in Europe at this time.

2005

This year marked the start of Crimson’s Microsoft journey, when Crimson Systems Limited was incorporated into Crimson Limited and the company became a Microsoft *ISV Gold Partner. On the IT recruitment side of the business, a 17-year-old Chris O’Brien joined the company as an administrator, and is now one of Crimson’s top recruiters.

2006

Crimson support Enabling Applications for RS Components as they awaited the launch of SAP. Kieran Toon was recruited soon after to support SharePoint, which was our first Microsoft business Solution. During this year’s Crimson Ball, the Crimson Oscars awards were introduced.  

2007

Crimson Foundation launched the Breakthrough program as part of it’s Corporate Social Responsibility, which was taken into a number of schools.

2009

Crimson Systems Limited was absorbed into Crimson Limited post credit crunch.

2010

The strategic decision was made to wholly focus on Microsoft, which included a CRM practice built from scratch, which made £1.2m in its first year.

2011

Crimson developed a Cloud Product called Mercury xRM and took it to market. A software platform for PSNC was also developed  to support non-preventative health services to all UK pharmacies.

2012

Crimson attended first Microsoft WPC in LA and planned to adopt the Microsoft Partner model.

2013

Crimson IT recruitment open their London office in New Broad Street and developed the Microsoft technology practice. Crimson was appointed to the Partner Advisory Council (PAC); 1 of 28 partners globally.

2014

Mercury xRM Limited was founded. Louise Clarke, Crimson’s Head of Recruitment, reached 100 contractors for the first time.

2015

Crimson was awarded a contract to build a new £1bn revenue business; built on Microsoft Cloud technologies. The company was also appointed strategic partner to Microsoft (MCS). Due to the growth in revenue and employees, the company relocated to its current HQ at Birmingham Business Park.

2017

Crimson was acquired by Harvey Nash Group PLC.

2018

Time to invest in new markets. Crimson launch their 3-year plan to scale up the Solutions business focusing on new service lines and market sectors. Crimson’s IT recruitment team invests in the FinTech market.

2019

Crimson formally launch their apprenticeship scheme, Crimson Academy, and are appointed partners to BT.

2020

Crimson achieves the milestone of 100 employees, as Crimson Academy wins national and regional awards. Crimson’s data proposition is launched.

2021

Crimson celebrates its 20th Anniversary. The IT recruitment team launch’s its Executive Search practice. Continued success in specific industries as Crimson works with its 14th university.