Picture the scene. It’s November 1999. The 20th Century is drawing to a close. Jeff Bezos is a small-time Seattle bookseller with big ideas. New York Property tycoon, Donald Trump, is flirting with an unlikely Presidential run for the ‘Reform Party’ (no, not that one…). Britney Spears is top of the charts. Fears over the Millennium Bug are sweeping the UK. And President Bill Clinton ‘did not have…’ well, you know the rest.
Meanwhile, in a small corner of North West Lancashire, Chartered Management Accountant Damian Broughton is facing redundancy. Little does he know, it’s a disguised blessing that will ultimately transform his family’s future, and countless others, for decades to come.
So, as we celebrate 25 years of Danbro, here is the story of what happened next…
Exercising a long-held ambition, Damian’s first decision was to enter into business with his wife, Helen; a notion that might terrify the living daylights out of a lot of married couples! But, fortunately, not them. Identifying a gap in the market, the pair wanted to provide specialist accountancy services to the UK’s ever-expanding community of contractors.
Combining their new venture with other jobs to make ends meet, the business’s journey got off to a modest start. Using the last of Damian’s redundancy money, they placed an advert in former industry magazine, Freelance Informer. After only a few months, the business reached half-a-dozen clients, which was just enough to pay for their initial advertisement! From there, the couple set themselves the ambitious target of 35 clients, sufficient to meet their mortgage and pay their bills. They would soon eclipse that goal, and then some.
Hundreds of employees, thousands of contractors, and one beautiful new building later, Danbro’s impact both within the industry and the wider community is far greater than Helen and Damian could ever have envisaged.
It has been a meteoric rise from part-time start-up to established national enterprise. From relying on overdrafts and credit cards to ensure staff and suppliers were paid on time, to navigating global pandemics, legislative change, and governments, new and old, the Company’s values of trust, respect, integrity, dynamism, and family, have never altered.
So, as we celebrate our business’s Silver Jubilee, here’s what we (and a few other people) have been up to since 1999…
Danbro Accounting Ltd was established back in 1999. Named after their eldest child, Daniel, now our Head of Umbrella, the Company was founded by Helen and Damian Broughton. The couple’s aim was to provide specialist accountancy services to the UK’s growing number of contractors, freelancers, small businesses, and self-employed people.
Elsewhere in 1999: In the capital, construction finished on the London Eye and the new Millennium Dome. Vladimir Putin replaced Boris Yeltsin as President of the Russian Federation. The Sopranos first aired on HBO. The landmark National Minimum Wage was introduced in April. Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts starred in Notting Hill. And, in May, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United claimed an unprecedented ‘Treble’ of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.
In the year 2000, Danbro introduced our very own employment umbrella company. This was in response to the UK’s ever-changing employee landscape. As one of the UK’s leading and most respected umbrella companies, we provide compliant, tax-efficient and cost-effective umbrella employment solutions to thousands of contractors across the UK.
Elsewhere in 2000: As we entered the new Millennium, George W. Bush became America’s 43rd President after one of the tightest elections in US history. Coldplay released their debut album, Parachutes. Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth and final Olympic Gold Medal in Sydney. Big Brother launched on Channel 4, introducing ‘reality TV’ to British TV screens. Ridley Scott’s Academy Award winning epic, Gladiator, hit the silver screen. And the Queen Mother celebrated her 100th birthday.
In 2001, our very first employee, Sharon Oldham, joined the team as an Accounts’ Clerk. From Accountants to Consultants, and Sales Managers to Web Developers, we now employ over 200 people (and counting…), in a variety of different roles. By the end of 2001, the new team supported nearly 100 clients, showing significant early traction. And IR35 became a real focus for our contractors, with Danbro developing tailored compliance guidance ahead of the curve.
Elsewhere in 2001: Daniel Radcliffe starred alongside a host of British acting icons in Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone, based on JK Rowling’s book of the same title. After five years of chart-topping success, the Spice Girls announced their split. The Office premiered on BBC2. Wildcard entry, Goran Ivanišević, beat the odds to win Wimbledon. Cornwall’s Eden Project welcomed its first visitors. And the world stood with America following the devastating terror attacks on September 11th.
Image: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com
In 2002, Damian entered the business full-time – a strategic commitment that accelerated the Company’s growth. To manage that scale of growth, there were important upgrades to systems, processes, and infrastructure, laying the foundations for the future. In the same year, the Company broke £1m in turnover for the very first time. From £778k at the end of March 2002, Company turnover reached £1.45m just 12 months later.
Elsewhere in 2002: On New Year’s Day, 12 EU Member States officially introduced Euro coins and banknotes as legal tender, although Chancellor Gordon Brown maintained the pound in the UK. Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Golden Jubilee – the first time a British Monarch had reached that landmark since her Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria. Mobile phone ownership in the UK surged past 75%. And Will Young defeated fans’ favourite Gareth Gates to win the first series of Pop Idol.
In 2003, the business made the long-awaited move out of its home office roots as we began working out of professional premises on the high street in Kirkham, Lancashire. This marked the first step towards physical expansion. And, as new payroll and CIS regulations drove higher demand for specialist contractor accounting, we added key roles in bookkeeping and client services, laying the groundwork for more structured service delivery.
Elsewhere in 2003: England’s rugby union team were crowned World Champions, beating Australia with a last-minute drop goal from fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson. Swiss youngster Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick at Wimbledon to win his first Grand Slam (of many…). A new congestion charge was introduced in London. Johnny Depp introduced the world to Jack Sparrow as Pirates of the Caribbean was released in cinemas. And, after 22 years, the final episode of Only Fools & Horses aired on Christmas Day.
Image: William Barton / Shutterstock.com
In March 2004, Helen gained membership to the Association of Accounting Technicians. Later in the year, we won a Progressive Practice Award, courtesy of IRIS. This was to be our first of many awards over the following decade. And, in response to evolving contractor employment models, we began offering a new umbrella payroll solution too.
Elsewhere in 2004: At the Athens Olympics, Kelly Holmes won two gold medals for Team GB in the 800m and 1500m. NASA’s Mars rover landed safely on the red planet. The hunting ban passed in parliament. And the internet (not to mention societal interaction) changed forever as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched his social networking site ‘The Facebook’. A name change, an Oscar-winning film, and 3+ billion users later, the site’s made steady progress since.
Chris Rhodes, our former Head of Employment Umbrella Operations, joined the company in 2005 to enhance our service delivery. We had another premises upgrade too, as the business relocated to the Whitehills Business Park in Blackpool. Meanwhile, we once again strengthened our award credentials with recognition from Red Rose Awards and Insight 100.
Image: Google
Elsewhere in 2005: Tony Blair won his third and final General Election. Angela Merkel became Germany’s first female Chancellor. Same-sex couples could legally register civil partnerships. After an 18-year drought, the England cricket team defeated Australia in a dramatic series to reclaim the Ashes. Live8 concerts took place across the globe, aiming to ‘Make Poverty History’. And Jawed Karim uploaded a homemade film entitled ‘Me at the Zoo’ to a brand-new video sharing platform called ‘YouTube.’
Image: 360b / Shutterstock.com
In October 2006, following the successful completion of the PCG (QA) training course, Danbro was admitted to the register of PCG Quality Accountants, affirming our audit and compliance capabilities.
Elsewhere in 2006: Microblogging site and Facebook foe, Twitter (now X), launched in California. Poor old Pluto had its status downgraded to a ‘dwarf planet’. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Liberian President & Africa’s first elected female Head of State. The final Concorde jets were retired from public display. Arctic Monkeys released their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, to critical acclaim. And Daniel Craig starred as 007 for the first time, as Casino Royale was released in cinemas.
Danbro ranked number 30 in the 2007 Sunday Times Fast Track for the UK’s Top 100 Companies, a list we continued to feature on for the next three years (2008, 2009 and 2010), showcasing our sustained expansion.
Elsewhere in 2007: Gordon Brown succeeded Tony Blair as Labour Leader and Prime Minister. The confidential details of over 25 million people were at risk after an HMRC official placed a disc containing the information into the internal post! Britain’s Got Talent debuted on British television with Paul Potts winning the first series, while Keeping Up with the Kardashians premiered in the US. And Rihanna & Jay-Z’s smash-hit Umbrella – nothing to do with us – was the UK’s biggest selling single.
Image: 360b / Shutterstock.com
Against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crash, we introduced staff welfare initiatives, including a new bonus scheme to help our employees with the more expensive times in life: babies, marriages, and moving house! The ‘baby bonus’ was then upgraded, post-Covid, to a generous maternity and paternity leave policy.
Elsewhere in 2008: Usain Bolt became a triple Olympic champion at the Beijing Games, smashing world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. The Inbetweeners became a cult hit on E4. Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the Formula 1 World Championship in dramatic fashion. And, amidst an international banking crisis, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected President of the United States of America. He beat Republican candidate John McCain in a landslide victory.
In 2009, we achieved Approved Employer Status with ACCA, AAT and CIMA for training and continual professional development. We also achieved ISO 9001 and Investors in People (IIP) accreditations, reinforcing our operational excellence.
Elsewhere in 2009: Todd Phillips’ Las Vegas inspired comedy, The Hangover, hit cinemas. Michael Jackson’s death at the age of 50 sent shockwaves through popular culture. Sir Terry Wogan announced that he was stepping down as presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast show. Rage Against The Machine’s Killing in the Name was Christmas No. 1, after a grassroots campaign against X Factor winners. And Oasis cancelled a gig in Paris minutes before they were due on stage. The group would not perform together for another 16 years.
Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com
In February 2010, owing to the generosity of our founders, Helen and Damian, we agreed to underwrite all the UK administration costs for international charity, Operation Orphan. That remains the case to this day. The charity continues to grow and make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children all over the world. We also celebrated 10 years in business with our first, Wild West inspired, family fun day.
Elsewhere in 2010: David Cameron became Prime Minister, leading the country’s first coalition government since WWII. Ash from a volcanic eruption in Iceland caused mass disruption to air travel across the continent. 33 miners were rescued in northern Chile after being trapped underground for more than two months. The King’s Speech won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. And, standing at a whopping 829.8m, the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa – opened to the public in Dubai.
Image: Jahanzaib Naiyyer / Shutterstock.com
Back in 2011, Danbro won both Business of the Year and Employer of the Year at the Be Inspired Business Awards (BIBAs), recognised as the standout SME in the region! In the same year, we were also listed as an ‘outstanding company to work for’ in the Best Companies Guide.
Elsewhere in 2011: Adele released her second studio album, ‘21’. It would become the UK’s best-selling record of the 21st Century. The News of the World released its last ever issue, closing after 168 years as a result of the Phone Hacking scandal. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 marked the end of an era and became the highest-grossing film of the year. And, in Royal news, Prince William married his long-term partner Kate Middleton in front of the world’s media at Westminster Abbey.
Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
2012 saw us purchase our new premises, Jubilee House, on the banks of the estuary in Lytham. This landmark building enables us to plan for growth and unite all our functions under one roof. We also won the Red Rose Commitment to Skills Award and achieved both Gold and Champion Status with IIP. As North West SMEs navigated evolving tax structures (e.g. IR35 on the horizon), we organised insightful seminars for clients and referral partners – solidifying Danbro’s position as a go-to advisor on emerging contractor regulation.
Elsewhere in 2012: London hosted the Summer Olympics for the first time in 64 years. With heroes including Bradley Wiggins, Mo Farah, Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis, and Chris Hoy, Team GB finished third in the medal table with a whopping 29 golds. The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee with a concert at Buckingham Palace and a flotilla down the River Thames. PSY ruled the internet with K-Pop smash hit ‘Gangnam Style’ – racking up over 5.6 billion YouTube hits and counting.
Image: meunierd / Shutterstock.com
In 2013, Danbro achieved Customer First Accreditation from the Institute of Customer Service. To highlight our local commitment, we became primary sponsor of the ‘Not‑for‑Profit’ category at the prestigious Red Rose Awards. We employed a new Group Finance Director, turbocharging our expansion plans. And, to that end, our geographic focus began switching from purely regional to fully national.
Elsewhere in 2013: Pope Benedict XVI became the first pontiff in almost six centuries to resign. His replacement, Francis, was the first non-European pope since the 8th Century. At home, Prince George was born in London. Andy Murray became the first Brit to win Wimbledon in almost 80 years. Sir Alex Ferguson stood down as manager of Manchester United after 26 years. And the world mourned the loss of former South African President & anti-apartheid revolutionary, Nelson Mandela, who passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 95.
Construction work began on Jubilee House in 2014. In the same year we were named as one of the top 1000 companies to ‘Inspire Britain’, in a report compiled by the London Stock Exchange. We also scooped the ‘Outstanding Workplace’ and ‘Customer Service’ awards for accountancy at the Insight 100 Awards. At the end of the year, we completed the acquisition of Trafalgar Accounting Solutions and Trafalgar Contractor Solutions (now, Trafalgar Umbrella). Founded in the heart of London a quarter of a century ago, Trafalgar provides specialist umbrella employment and accountancy solutions to thousands of contractors across the UK, with a firm emphasis on compliance, ease of use and efficiency.
Elsewhere in 2014: In an historic referendum on independence, Scotland voted to remain as part of the UK. It wasn’t the last referendum to make headlines that decade…. Germany won the FIFA World Cup for the first time since the country’s reunification. Brits were dunking buckets of ice over one another to raise money for MND. Kim Kardashian broke the internet. Singer Pharrell had everyone feeling ‘Happy’. And Matthew McConaughey beat Leonardo Di Caprio to the Best Actor award at the Oscars.
In 2015, with renovation complete, we started the year working from our new home at Jubilee House, overlooking the iconic Lytham Green and Windmill Museum. We won Business of the Year at the BIBAs and Employer of the Year at the Red Rose Awards. We also made the Hot 100 list for the UK’s fastest growing private companies. And we ranked in the top 50 of the Growth 100 Report for the whole of the North West. Oh, and we sponsored the internationally acclaimed Lytham Festival too! Phew!
Elsewhere in 2015: Morecambe-born boxer Tyson Fury became World Heavyweight Champion, defeating the seemingly indomitable Wladimir Klitschko in Düsseldorf. NASA scientists found evidence of flowing water on Mars. Jeremy Clarkson was sacked as lead presenter on the BBC’s Top Gear. Star Wars was back with ‘The Force Awakens.’ One Direction released their final album before going on hiatus. And a black and blue (…or was it white and gold?) dress brought the internet to a standstill.
In 2016, Founders, Helen and Damian Broughton, were both awarded MBEs by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for their work with the self-employed, small businesses, and the community of Lancashire. We also expanded our Board of Directors, with David Booth coming in as our IT Director. A former client of Danbro, David is now the business’s Chief Technical Officer.
Elsewhere in 2016: In an historic referendum on its membership, the UK voted to leave the European Union. In November, Business Magnate and Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected the 45th US President. Pokémon GO fever swept the nation. 5,000/1 outsiders Leicester City shocked the world to win Premier League. And, in more sombre news, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali died in Arizona following a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind an unrivalled legacy as ‘The Greatest’.
2017 saw the development of the Danbro Foundation, an essential part of our long-term plan. The focus is on enabling better lives, facilitating access to items unreachable by the individual, and on creating futures full of opportunity. Elsewhere in our industry, new rules for applying IR35 in the public sector, otherwise known as the off-payroll working rules, came into force in April.
Elsewhere in 2017: New prime minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 and, with it, the UK’s withdrawal from the EU before calling a General Election in which her party lost its majority. In Ireland, Leo Varadkar became the country’s first openly gay leader. Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, a celebration of British resilience in WWII, was a box office hit. And, following the tragic events at her concert in Manchester, singer Ariana Grande hosted a benefit concert in the city, raising millions for the victims’ families in the process.
Image: Drop of Light / Shutterstock.com
In 2018, we gained full accreditation from the FCSA. We showed our commitment to responsible business by joining over 800 companies as part of the ‘Business in the Community’ network. Our CEO, Helen Broughton MBE, was named as one of Lancashire’s 12 Hidden Heroes at an event which acknowledged the achievements of the county’s best business leaders.
Elsewhere in 2018: As the country experienced its hottest summer since 1976, Prince Harry married American actress Meghan Markle in a lavish ceremony at Windsor Castle. The Greatest Showman soundtrack dominated the global music charts. In Saudi Arabia, a longstanding ban on female drivers was finally lifted. Cyclist Geraint Thomas followed Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome to become the UK’s sixth Tour de France winner in seven years. And the England men’s football team reached the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years.
Image: Londonisland
In 2019, we released a series of videos encompassing our company’s history and sharing our vision for the future. We also officially launched a brand new financial planning website, as well as the Danbro Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which provides those most in need with opportunities for the future. Earlier in the year, Helen was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire by The Lord Shuttleworth KG KCVO.
Elsewhere in 2019: The Conservatives won a landslide election under new leader Boris Johnson. Led by captain Ben Stokes, England won the men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time, beating New Zealand in a thrilling final at Lord’s. Rocketman & Joker were the year’s biggest film releases. Teenage environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg was named TIME’s Person of the Year. And dramatic images showed the devastating impact of a fire at Paris’ iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Our 20th birthday year brought with it challenges we could never have foreseen. The Covid-19 pandemic dominated the agenda for all businesses in 2020. As the world adapted to remote working and digital-first solutions, so did we. We overhauled our systems to serve you better from a distance and we were proud to be able to furlough our contractors, choosing to stand by them in their time of need. In a time of separation and difficulty, it was those values that define us – trust, respect, integrity, and family – that carried us through.
Elsewhere in 2020: Global lockdowns sadly became the norm as Covid-19 caused global chaos. International events like the Tokyo Olympics were unprecedentedly postponed. The UK formally left the European Union, ending freedom of movement and access to the single market. Captain Tom Moore raised £33 million for the NHS and was knighted by the Queen. Zoom went from noun to verb – and a household staple. And Joe Biden defeated incumbent Donald Trump in a historic US election that set voter turnout records.
In 2021, we launched Danbro Business Solutions, a specialist service focusing on small businesses, start-ups, franchises, and the self-employed. We also rolled out our first premium employment solution, Danbro Umbrella PLUS. And after an 11th hour delay 12 months earlier, the new IR35 determination rules were implemented to contracts in the private sector.
Elsewhere in 2021: Covid vaccines, the first of which was invented in the UK, were rolled out globally. World leaders gathered for the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. 18-year-old Emma Raducanu won the US Open without dropping a set! Coventry was announced as the UK’s City of Culture. The nation was gripped by the final series of Line of Duty. There was heartbreak at Wembley as England’s men lost the Euros final to Italy on penalties. And the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, passed away at the age of 99.
In 2022, Higsons Accountants officially became part of the Danbro family as we completed our acquisition of the Farnworth-based firm. Founded in 2001 by Chartered Accountants Keith Higson and Andy Barlow, Higsons provides specialist personal and corporate accountancy to thousands of businesses and entrepreneurs across the North West and beyond. We also started our very own podcast, In Conversation with Danbro Business, which focused on the triumphs, trials & tribulations experienced by entrepreneurs in their pursuit of business success.
Elsewhere in 2022: Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away, bringing a historic 70-year reign to an end. In a year of three Prime Ministers, Rishi Sunak succeeded Boris Johnson, via Liz Truss. The UK recorded its hottest ever temperature. The ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial dominated the tabloid front pages. And in football, Argentina’s Lionel Messi finally lifted the men’s FIFA World Cup, while England’s Lionesses won the Women’s Euros for the first time, beating Germany at Wembley.
2023 saw Daryl Platt joined Danbro as the Company’s first Chief Commercial Officer, with Sarah Riley becoming Chief Financial Officer. We also placed in the Top 20 of the Ward Hadaway North West Fastest 50 Awards.
Elsewhere in 2023: King Charles III was coronated at Westminster Abbey, a couple of months after his youngest son, Harry, had released a controversial memoir. Barbie and Oppenheimer took the box office by storm. AI tools, led by Chat GPT, exploded into the mainstream. Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Era’s tour sold out stadiums around the world. And after almost 60 years of live performances, Sir Elton John played his final show in the UK, closing out Glastonbury Festival.
In 2024, we were proud to welcome Graham Wood Ltd to the Danbro Group, a highly reputable firm of accountants who have been serving Greater Manchester’s businesses since 1950. The Danbro Group were also headline sponsors of the inaugural Coastal Radio Business Awards, held at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. And, in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, our CEO Helen lit a beacon at Jubilee House in her capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.
Elsewhere in 2024: The Paris Olympics lit up the summer. Keely Hodgkinson starred for Team GB in the 800m, while gymnast Simone Biles banished the pain of Tokyo 2020, winning three golds for the US. Meanwhile, the UK elected a Labour government for the first time in 14 years, with Sir Keir Starmer becoming just the 6th Labour Prime Minister since the Second World War, with a substantial majority. And Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield’s charity work on MND received much deserved national recognition.
2025 marked the 10th anniversary of Jubilee House’s grand opening. Meanwhile, Danbro also acquired another prestigious accountancy firm in the Hyde area, with Allen Mills Howard joining the Group earlier this year. And John Harris, the Group’s longest-serving employee, celebrated 25 years with Trafalgar.
Elsewhere in 2025: In January, Donald Trump was inaugurated at the White House for a historic second term. The UK government concluded a landmark and, to some, controversial treaty granting full sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. At 17, Luke Littler became darts’ youngest-ever PDC World Champion, beating dutchman Michael van Gerwen in the final at Alexandra Palace. And after 16 years, Britpop icons Oasis returned to the stage with a sold-out world tour.
So, here we are. 25 years. From kitchen table to Jubilee House. From a handful of local clients to businesses, contractors, and entrepreneurs nationwide. From an idea between two people to a trusted national brand employing hundreds and serving thousands.
Our mission remains exactly as it was back in 1999: to create futures full of opportunity for our clients, our colleagues, and our community. We’re proud of where we’ve come from, but even more excited about where we’re headed.
As we celebrate 25 years of Danbro, we want to thank every client, colleague, and partner who’s been part of our journey. Whether you’ve just joined us, or you’ve been here since the start – thank you. It really does mean a lot.
The last 25 years have been filled with change, growth, and no shortage of challenges. But through it all, our values have remained steadfast, and our passion for people and progress has never wavered.
Here’s to the next 25 years. We are just getting started.
To find out what we could do for you and your business, get in touch today.
Sam Wright is Danbro’s Marketing Manager. He produces regular content and feature articles on our digital and non-digital channels – and social platforms – for the Danbro Group and its subsidiaries, as well as having responsibility for the Company’s internal and external communications.
His background is in Journalism and Creative Writing, having previously contributed to publications such as The Daily Post, The Lancashire Evening Post, and The Blackpool Gazette.
He is a keen swimmer and avid Manchester United fan (but don’t hold that against him), and he lives in Lancashire with his wife, Sarah.
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