In 2001, entrepreneur and Daisy CEO Matthew Riley set out with the aim of becoming the market leader in the UK business-to-business communications industry. Originally functioning out of Riley’s garage, the now Daisy Group is one of the largest providers of unified communications in the UK with 75,000 customers and one of the largest employers in East Lancashire.
To mark exactly 10 years since the business’ first ever bill run, 1,500 employees at all Daisy’s offices were treated to cup cakes and a special anniversary edition of internal magazine Daisy Days.
Daisy Group has enjoyed a fruitful first decade, receiving awards and recognition for its accomplishments from both within the communications industry and on the UK business scene.
In 2005 the business was named winner of the Sunday Times Tech Track Award, recognition for it being the fastest growing technology company in the country. CEO Riley then went on to win personal accolades including Ernst and Young’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the inaugural entrepreneur of the year in the Bank of Scotland’s Entrepreneur Challenge, the latter of which resulted in £5m interest free funding for the company as well as mentoring from Billionaire businessman Sir Philip Green.
In 2009, during one of the toughest economic climates, Daisy floated on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) to become the now “Daisy Group”, and in 2011 Riley joined Lord Alan Sugar in the BBC series “The Apprentice”.
Originally a traditional lines and calls provider, Daisy has grown rapidly over the last 10 years and evolved to offer businesses the latest solutions in IT and technology. And with a highly successful and energetic decade under its belt, the business is showing no signs of slowing down and is looking for more people from the North West to join the burgeoning team.
“We have come a long way since I founded the business back in 2001,” said CEO Matthew Riley. “Our first bill run was completed on 23rd September 2001 in which we invoiced three clients, a long way from the 75,000 that we now invoice each month.”
He continued: “It is with a sense of pride that today I stand alongside 1,500 colleagues within the business, still with that same ambition. In addition, many of the people that joined us when we were still a young company are still us today and have grown their careers with the business.
“We are still looking to grow our business, not least at our East Lancashire base, and are always looking for ambitious people to join us.”