Click, Click Directorbank does the trick

The Internet has revolutionised the market for job seekers and employers. People wanting to change positions, or change careers, are just a click away from thousands of job advertisements, while employers can access a huge database of job hunters.

For example, venture capitalists are now turning to the Internet in the hope of finding the high-flying executive they need. And their first port of call is increasingly the Leeds-based Directorbank.com, which specialises in fast management solutions for the venture capital world.

Formerly known as The MBi Register, Directorbank changed its name this year to reflect a broadening of its positioning since it was launched on the Internet in January.

The pioneering on-line database company has carved out a fast-growing position in the venture capital market by using the Internet as an instant means of allowing venture capital firms to access chairmen, chief executives and finance directors for MBIs, MBOs and start-ups.

Directorbank's database of senior level executives is used by authorised venture capital executives with security protected access to the website. The company has recently brought its 250th venture capital executive online.

"The vast majority of our candidates are immediately available to look at a transaction," says Chief Executive Jonathan Hick. "They are people who have previously done an MBO or MBI, or who have built a business from scratch, or who simply have such a burning desire to get into equity that they have voluntarily left large corporations. Many are proven entrepreneurs or experienced FTSE directors.

"Directorbank is a good example of a business where the internet provides real benefits - we trade in a market where time is of the essence and yet where information is closely guarded. Directorbank helps the management and the opportunity to find each other fast."

The days when people were reluctant to put personal information on the Internet are now largely over. Indeed top people constantly want to be kept in touch with the latest top jobs. And why not, when there's a chance of becoming a millionaire overnight?

The company's database of executives (www.directorbank.com) is available directly to venture capital and corporate finance clients over the Internet.

There are also a number of public pages which are available to any visitors to the site. In addition, a password-protected search area of the site allows registered clients to search the database.

Searches can be by combinations of sector, turnover responsibility and position. Free text searches are also possible, enabling clients to search by names of specific companies or detailed descriptions of the experience that they are seeking.

As a result anyone clicking on to the site, which is updated daily, can view positions within a number of sectors while further information on each entry can be downloaded. There is also a chance to apply online immediately.

"The reason we are getting executives to come on to the Internet is because it's a very high quality, limited audience at the other end," said Jonathan Hick. "They are serious people looking for serious directorships."