About us
Brief History of employer services ltd (esl) in Brentwood.
Back in the summer of 1999 the idea of starting a new payroll service company was conceived by three enterprising and already successful businessmen, even though there were already a number of service providers available to process the complex payroll calculations, print and distribute the payslips and ensure that net payments were processed though the banking network.
Stuart Hall, Colin Cleminson and Bob Moor were convinced, however, that the payroll services provided to employers was severely lacking, and set about to improve it. They had witnessed how Virgin Atlantic had taken on British Airways, demonstrating that customers can be provided with a better service, all the while being treated as people and not just another customer. So, employer services was born and started with four employees, no clients but with a winning attitude to take on the “big boy” companies.
One of their first decisions was to decide where to locate their head office. Brentwood with its quick links to London, easy access to motorways and, as they later found, many people wanting to work locally seemed ideal. All that was needed was premises.
A suite of buildings in Western Road, formally a builder’s yard with a small office block, had been lying vacant for some years. esl moved in and decorated one of the floors to make it habitable whilst extensions were added to the main office block. One year later, the new building was opened by local MP Eric Pickles (now Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) who was delighted to hear of a company that was looking to employ local staff rather than outsource overseas to India and Far East.
Today, esl employ over 40 staff, specialising in providing outsourced and hosted payroll solutions to local and national employers.
Just payroll people
The men behind esl and the esPAY online system are Stuart Hall, Colin Cleminson and Bob Moor. They met working in the world’s largest payroll company in a variety of roles. Stuart and Colin were arch-rivals on the sales team at one point, but later became friends.
Their career paths diverged until Stuart found himself about to launch his second company and needed financial partners to create the company he wanted. It was an easy decision for them all to come together to form employer services.
Colin
Colin had a short career in professional football before moving into the corporate arena and working his way up to Chairman of the Board. He is passionate about delivering the service that the clients really want and points out, “The dynamics of our business are that we’re small enough to react to the slightest need of our clients, which gives us an advantage over our larger competitors. As we grow that will become a bigger challenge, but one we’re passionate about.”
Stuart
Stuart’s approach to everything he does is that it has to be the best. Having always been a keen musician and plays trombone at international level it’s no surprise that he has strong views on quality. “If I’m going to do something I’m going to do it at the highest standards – whether it’s my music or my business.”
It’s no surprise to learn that he won all the top prizes – even against his American colleagues – in his early role of salesman.
Bob
Bob had a successful career in payroll sales before joining esl. He shares the ethos of his co-directors that every client should be treated as an individual and deserves exceptional service.
Proud of the success esl has already achieved, he knows that larger competitors see esl as a key player in the industry. “One of the greatest compliments we received was when a chairman of a major competitor said we were a thorn in their side – that was a real milestone for me. Long may it continue!”
Three different people with a common passion – being the best!
Social Links