how firm's fortunes revived

In 2002 chief executive Rod Jones was parachuted in to rescue what was then a business on the brink of receivership, with just 45 days’ cash left.

He succeeded, and in June 2006, Proactis floated on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market. Chief technical officer Kevin Chidlow is the main architect of its software and leads product development.

Its chairman is Alan Aubrey, who is also chief executive of IP Group, a group that turns university research into business and has stakes in Yorkshire spin-outs including Tracsis and Avacta.

Mr Jones said while Proactis’s expansion opportunities, debt-free nature and cash-generating qualities make it attractive to potential buyers, the company is not for sale.

“You do not graft to build a business to then give it away,” he said. “I want to grow the business.”