Rob Crossland

Former IT contractor, Rob Crossland, founded Parasol as a direct result of becoming totally frustrated with the mountains of paperwork and sheer hassle involved with freelancing. He had a gut feeling that any company that could help freelancers and contractors maximise their income whilst minimising the hassle had to be a sure-fire winner. And he was right.

Parasol was formally launched in 2000 and rapidly built a healthy base of employees, largely by developing partnerships with the recruitment agencies that place them. Rob played a leading role in developing Parasol into one of the fastest growing companies in the UK before leading an MBO in 2006.

Since then, it has looked after the needs of some 47,000 employees and this figure continues to increase as the company expands into new market sectors across the UK. Parasol maintains impressive partnerships with 2,500 recruitment agencies including industry leading companies such as Hays, Alexander Mann Solutions, Capita Venn, Reed, Impellam Group and Lorien.

Rob’s leadership, Parasol has remained staunchly loyal to the principles of innovation, service delivery and value for money on which he based the company. A pioneer for best practice and innovation in employment, Rob has steered Parasol to become one of the most respected and secure professional employers in the UK, providing support services to thousands of contractors and works with hundreds of recruitment agencies large and small.

Rob is also vice chairman of Super League rugby league club, Hull Kingston Rovers, and is also a keen Manchester City supporter, neither of which should be held against him!