Defaqto Celebrates 25 Years

Haddenham-based company, Defaqto, is celebrating its 25 year anniversary.

The company was founded in April 1994 under the name "The Research Department" with seven employees. It was originally based in offices in a country house (Brands House) near High Wycombe.

In 1996 the company relocated for three years to Dovetail House in Stokenchurch and then, in 1999, on to the Haddenham Business Park. By this stage the company had grown to 43 employees.

The company changed its name to Defaqto in 2002.

Since that time, the organisation has seen significant growth, to over 130 employees — all working together to bring the company's vision to life, namely helping people to make better informed financial decisions.

You're most likely to have heard of Defaqto through their Star Ratings, which help consumers to understand the quality and comprehensiveness of financial products — including home, motor and travel insurance. Indeed, you may have seen Defaqto Star Ratings on TV adverts, on documents from your insurance company and on price comparison websites.

Defaqto also provides business-to-business services , including supporting over 8,500 financial advisers who subscribe to Defaqto Engage, a software tool that helps financial advisers to research the market and provide advice to their clients.

This year, Defaqto's steady growth led to SimplyBiz, the UK's largest provider of compliance and business services to financial intermediaries, agreeing to buy the local business for £74m, further future-proofing the business. Defaqto would appear to be a good place to work, given that 30% of the staff have been employed for 10 years or more. As the company continues to grow, its staff vacancies often appear in the Jobs section of this website.

Defaqto marked its silver jubilee with a showcase highlighting the company's story so far, including presenting four of its original employees with awards for 25 years' service.

Pictured left to right are: Alison Hirst, Zahid Bilgrami (CEO), Ben Heffer and Stuart Fulkes.

The presentation on Thursday 25th April was followed by afternoon tea at Waddesdon Manor, with plenty of socialising, reminiscing and looking forward to the next steps in the Company's growth.