A Brief History Of The JDR Group

2004

David Roberts, Leanne Mordue and Will Williamson begin trading under the name JDR Business Coaches Ltd, originally as a business coaching & consulting company offering business mentoring services, workshops and networking. The first office was in Friargate, Derby.

Facebook starts up at Harvard University
Gmail launched by Google

2005

JDR grows to 8 people in total, and widens the service offering to include Group Coaching and Networking. The business moves to a larger office on St Peters Street, and then again to Babington Lane.

YouTube launches
HubSpot starts up
Reddit launches

2006

JDR Begin to win awards – Action Coach recognize JDR as top franchise within the Midlands, then in UK and then in the whole of Europe. David Roberts wins two ‘Action Man’ awards, and JDR Business Coaches Ltd gets nominated for the prestigious BFA Franchise of the year, and makes the top 10 shortlist. By now there are 5 coaches in the team and the team has 11 people in total.

Twitter launches
Facebook opened up to the public

2007

Two major decisions are made this year – to separate from the franchise and become an independent coaching company, and to diversify into website design and digital marketing. JDR Websites is formed and takes off quickly, and the business relocates to new offices on Pride Park.

iPhone launched by Apple
Tumblr is launched
BBC launch iPlayer

2008

More resources are put into the digital marketing side of the business, as associate coaches are let go and more designers and technical staff are employed to keep up with demand – JDR are now up to 15 members of staff and have added SEO and Ecommerce to their service offerings. Progress is halted by the credit crunch, which bites late in the year.

Google introduce Android operating system for smart phones
Spotify is launched
Groupon opens its doors

2009

With the economy struggling, the transition from coaching business into digital marketing agency continues, as Google AdWords, social media marketing and email marketing begin, as well as specialist local SEO services.

WhatsApp founded
Foursquare is debuted at SxSW

2010

JDR launch JDR Enterprise, a proprietary content management system for small businesses which allows clients to be able to easily edit their own websites. JDR holds it’s first website and internet marketing seminar for local business owners.

Instagram is debuted for the iPhone
Pinterest launches as a private beta
Vidyard formed

2011

As automation becomes more and more a feature of online marketing, JDR invest in Infusionsoft and begin content marketing – creating a series of Youtube videos and a blog. Further investments are made in the SEO team – bringing in skills, investing in training and in software to raise the level of results for clients.

Google introduce Google+
iPad launched by Apple
Snapchat starts

2012

JDR move to a bigger premises in Pride Park, the current offices at 15 Brunel Parkway, pride Park, Derby DE24 8HR. An investment in Hubspot is made following the Google Algorithm updates, which signal a shift towards quality content, and JDR launch the Digital Prosperity Blog. SEO has now become a major part of the business, and turnover and the number of staff continue to grow – now up to 25. Rebrand as The JDR Group.

Facebook lists on the stock market.
4G Launches in the UK
Netflix & NOW TV launch.
Google roll out the Panda & Penguin updates.

2013

JDR Become a certified HubSpot Partner and attends several conferences and events worldwide, including Inbound 2013 in Boston.

Google releases further updates to Panda & Penguin and introduces a new update, Hummingbird.
Twitter lists on the stock market
Instagram introduce video

2014

JDR become a certified Google AdWords partner, and also achieve four other accreditation’s with Hubspot as well as certification with Infusionsoft. Further conferences and events are attended, including Inbound 2014.

Facebook launch 'Messenger' and acquire WhatsApp
Amazon release the 'Echo'
HubSpot launch their free CRM

2015

JDR launch Inbound Marketing as a service, as well as strategy workshops and smaller events. David Roberts becomes a certified Duct Tape Marketing Consultant, the business becomes certified in Google Analytics and the Digital Prosperity Podcast is started.

Google 'Mobilegeddon' update makes having a mobile-friendly website essential

2016

JDR develop the 6-step marketing system, a comprehensive approach to attracting and converting leads with consistency. JDR also achieve HubSpot Gold Partner status.

Microsoft acquires LinkedIn for $26.2bn
Google Rankbrain update

2017

JDR introduce Facebook advertising as a service, and continue to grow the team as clients start to see excellent results from the new, combined approach. Research shows the average client gets a 654% increase in monthly leads after just 12 months.

HubSpot launch the Sales Hub, complete with Sales Professional & Sales Enterprise
Microsoft launch MS Teams
LinkedIn Lead Generation Ads launched

2018

The year GDPR legislation is introduced. JDR become a HubSpot Platinum Partner. Our MD, David Roberts begins a regular spot on BBC Radio Derby.

GDPR comes into law
Google AdWords rebrands as Google Ads
Amazon launch Amazon ads

2019

JDR introduce LinkedIn advertising as a service for B2B lead generation, and further develop the SEO strategy and tools.

HubSpot relaunch their mobile app
Google introduce combined audience targeting for search and display

2020

The year of the Coronavirus pandemic and national lockdown. JDR Group become a Vidyard Partner, and a Platinum Sharpspring Partner.

HubSpot launches CMS Hub
Twitter and LinkedIn introduce Stories
Worldwide hack of WordPress websites via FileManager plugin
TikTok overtakes Facebook to become most downloaded app worldwide

2021

JDR become a HubSpot Diamond Partner, and introduce the JDR Academy - an exclusive video learning hub for clients with on-demand video training on sales, social media, HubSpot and marketing strategy.

Google roll out Core Web Vitals
Clubhouse grows significantly
Facebook, WhatsApp & Instagram go down for a day
iOS privacy update & Google remove 3rd party cookies

2022

JDR introduce our Fast Track HubSpot Onboarding platform, and become Meta Partners.

OpenAI launch beta version of Chat GPT
Elon Musk acquires Twitter & becomes CEO

2023

JDR become an Elite HubSpot Partner- the top tier of HubSpot agencies worldwide.

Instagram launches 'Threads'
Google closes down Universal Analytics, introduces GA4

2024

JDR moves to new offices on the Wyvern Business Park, Derby. The new space allows for continued expansion as the team grows to nearly 40 marketing professionals.

Bluesky gains prominence as an alternative to Elon Musk's rebranded 'X' platform
US Congress announces plans to shut down TikTok

“Having worked with the JDR team for over three years now, that period speaks volumes for what they have achieved for us.”

Mike Coates

“We have been working with JDR for 19 Months now on our inbound marketing campaign and the results has been absolutely fantastic. Our campaign manager Ellis is first class and has great knowledge of the industry and has been vital in directing us through the campaign thus far. When we started out with JDR we generated very little business online but I can now happily say that the majority of our business now comes via our website/inbound marketing campaign. I highly recommed.”

Derek Bennett

“We're 6 months in to a long term relationship with JDR. We've been very happy with the service we've received so far. Our website redesign was achieved fluently, to a very high standard and the increase in traffic (admittedly from virtually 0) has borne results. I've dealt personally now with five or six JDR team members and all have been affable, professional, and competent. They are expert listeners and make it their mission to really understand your business goals. Overall, I think the thing I am happiest about has been the increased in strength of my companies brand, I very much look forward to what the next six months and beyond brings.”

Lewis King

“IC2 CCTV & IC2 Distribution have been working with JDR for almost a year and have been very pleased with the improvement in results that we are achieving through our marketing / Ad campaigns. We particularly appreciate our monthly catch up meetings with John Skidmore, which give us the chance to evaluate our results and implement change where necessary. All in all a very good first 12 months.”

Frances Hamilton

“We have worked with JDR now with three different companies and have received a first class service every-time. I have also recommended the company to various friends who have been as happy with the results. They take the time to explain the various aspects of the work they do in a language I can understand and have a good understanding of my business and marketplace. I wouldn't look anywhere else!”

Shaun McCluskey

“JDR have helped Premier Forrester immensely. We are a small business that are experts at what we do, marketing certainly isnt that! JDR not only act as our marketing experts, but occasionally stray into business coaching by challenging what we are doing to maximise their impact. Special mention to John Skidmore, always does what he says and demonstrates he really cares about his clients businesses and plays a vital role in helping them succeed”

Mike Gee

“JDR did a great job transforming the marketing for the small business that I run. At every point they explained the reasons behind their strategy and then gave their advice on the best course of action. Then we enacted a plan and monitored the results, so I could see my business leap up the organic google search rankings. We also used Linkedin to target individuals with the right profiles more specifically as I run a fairly niche business (surveying equipment). John, my account manager, was available through the process for ad hoc advice as well as the regular monthly meetings and clearly knew his stuff.”

Matt Lacey