History

People in Business was founded in February 1989 as a consulting business within Barkers Human Resources whose CEO Simon Barrow (an ex Colgate brand manager and consumer ad agency leader) believed that recruitment communications needed better research and planning and that a stand alone business would not only attract good consultants but also win clients outside resourcing. In 1992, Simon bought PiB from the Barkers Group.

Following Jenny Davenport’s arrival from the Industrial Society in 2001, PiB developed its senior management consulting capability with a high level of Chairman/CEO involvement. These included projects for the insurer Hiscox and for asset managers like Invesco and Man Group. In 2002, Richard Mosley joined as Managing Director bringing substantial research and brand experience from WPP’s Added Value. Richard turned the EB approach into a precise process and our first EB book, in 2005, led to continued global speaking engagements.

In August 2007, given the opportunities to build a global business PiB returned to its roots in recruitment marketing with TMP North America. At the same time Amy Pike, who first joined as an administrator became a consultant and has since become an expert global consultant specialising in research. PiB celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009 alongside Jenny Davenport’s book on M&A.

In 2010 Richard Mosley became responsible for all global consulting and Jenny Davenport became Managing Director. We have since been joined by two outstanding consultants Sophy Pern, from BP, and David Richardson, after senior HR work with Coca-Cola, Tesco and Lloyds TSB.

We look forward to continuing to base the business on our long established values of humanity, curiosity, energy and projection.