Ben Black began his career as a lawyer in the City. But when he moved into a corporate department he always knew he'd quit. So in 1999 when his brother Oliver asked if he would join him and friend Amanda Coxen in buying Tinies, a bankrupt chain of seven nanny agencies, Black was easily persuaded.
A salesman for Procter & Gamble, his brother was impressed by all the company did for its employees' childcare needs. "The theory was that Oliver knew about childcare and I knew all about buying and selling companies. If we are honest we were both lying," admits Black.
The trio found themselves in a tough industry with hundreds of people setting up agencies and no barriers to entry. Their luck changed when the BBC filmed them for its Trouble at the Top documentary series. "It wasn't flattering but we attracted good franchisees off the back of that," recalls Black.
At the same time they altered the business model, supplying staff to nurseries as well as placing nannies in families. And in 2005, Black devised the idea for a website that would allow parents and carers to book childcare or care for the elderly that would be subsidised by their employers. My Family Care was born.
"We were lucky—when we launched three clients walked straight in and said it was exactly what they'd been looking for," says Black. "We have hundreds of people making bookings every day and stressed-out employees love the fact they can book whatever care they want when they need it."
My Family Care is the fastest-growing business in the My Family Care Group, which incorporates Tinies, a crèche and holiday club business, and website Nannyshare. Turnover this year will be £5.5m.
It's a busy time for the father-of-three, who says he makes use of the emergency childcare service himself. "My wife and I work flexibly, which makes it [juggling childcare] easier but three or four times a year we will be getting some kind of help," he says.
