While there were plenty of agencies offering recruitment services, most were generalists and lacked specialist knowledge of the ADR and petrochemical industries. Rapidstart was launched to fill that gap and provide a true one-stop shop for this sector of logistics and has gone on to become a highly successful family-driven business.
“When I started Rapidstart it was just me,” Clive explains. “It quickly grew to a team of five, and by 2016 we had taken a real foothold in the petrochemical sector.”
From there, the milestones came quickly:
- 2017 – turnover reached £1 million
- 2018 – Clive’s daughter Beth joined the business as an Account Manager
- 2021 – his other daughter Sara came onboard as Head of Finance
- 2023 – Rapidstart became the leading staffing agency in the ADR and petrochemical space
- 2024 – turnover exceeded £4 million
- 2025 – the company launched its Permanent Recruitment and Executive Search divisions to support growing client demand for top talent
- 2025 – Beth Simpson joined the board of directors, and will take on the role of Managing Director in 2026
“The best advice I’ve ever received?” Clive smiles. “Know your numbers. Always challenge the status quo. If it’s fixed, break it and build it better and stronger.”
The secret of success
Over the past decade, technology has transformed the recruitment world, helping to streamline processes and improve efficiency – but Clive believes success still comes down to people and relationships.
“My daughters joining the company has been the most memorable moment for me,” he says. “It made Rapidstart a true family business. Watching us grow into the UK’s leading agency for ADR and petrochemical drivers, both in scale and volume, has been incredibly rewarding.”
To mark the 10-year anniversary, Rapidstart celebrated in their own understated way, sending hampers to clients and partners, cards to their drivers, and holding a rebrand photoshoot with Beth and Sara, who now lead the company day-to-day.
“We’ve never been ones for big parties,” Clive adds. “We’re celebrating by doing what we do best, giving our partners the best-in-class service they expect and deserve, and looking for ways to keep improving and expanding our business to stay ahead.”
With a strong family team at the helm and exciting new divisions already underway, Rapidstart is well-placed for its next decade of growth and innovation.
Images provided by Rapidstart