It was only 8 years ago that Hayley Parsons created the price comparison website GoCompare having previously worked for Admiral where she was involved in the setting up of a rival price comparison website Confused.com. Now this 41 year old entrepreneur who is a mother of two children is selling her remaining 23% stake in GoCompare for a reported £43.7 million.
Esure are buying the remaining 50% that it does not already own for around £95 million having purchased the first 50% back in 2010. You may recollect that GoCompare was famous for its TV adverts involving an opera singer.
Apparently, she set up the company from her kitchen table. We are sure that you will agree to create a business back in 2006 and to see how much it is worth today is a great achievement by her and the rest of the team at the price comparison website.
One of the conditions of the sale was that the business still retains its base in Newport in Wales. Hayley is obviously keen to make sure that her staff are looked after in this respect.
The company is extremely profitable with results for the year ending 31st December revealing a net profit of £25 million and a turnover of £110 million. This is an increase on the previous year’s figures that showed a net profit of £24 million and a turnover of £105 million.
GoCompare help people arrange a variety of products such as car insurance, home insurance, pet insurance, travel insurance, business insurance, loans, credit cards, gas and electricity, mortgages, savings accounts and phones.
This lady left school at the age of 16 with five GCSEs so it just shows what can be achieved these days. Congratulations to her and we wish her all the best for whatever she decides to do in the future.