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In the last decade, the act of looking for that next job has moved progressively online, as newspaper and magazine classifieds become a thing of the past. One company that has steadily ridden this wave is Broadbean Technology, a leader in online job advert distribution via their distinct job posting software.

Using the AdCourier and Aplitrak tools, Broadbean have grown into a £3.5m turnover company since their launch in 2002. For this reason, it comes as no huge surprise that the ongoing discussions over their future with Associated Northcliffe Digital (AND), a division of DMGT (The Daily Mail General Trust) has resulted in the sale of the 30,000 user strong company for an unknown amount. Broadbean also distribute around 1.5million ads to 700 job boards each month.

Founders Dan McGuirre and Kelly Robinson announced Broadbean will keep its brand name, management team (including McGuirre and Robinson) and employees, while McGuirre added to Real Business that the silent partner who owned 37% has also exited, saying they 'didn't add much value' and 'didn't have a hands-on role'. The fact that DMGT is such a huge media operation 'Swung it for me', said McGuirre, who says he always wanted to take the company global, and will now most likely see it happen with a US roll-out. 'They're hugely focused on digital and they're prepared to back us substantially as we grow internationally', he said. 'It was definitely the right call.' Speaking of their first meeting with AND, Robinson said they 'were introduced to a team of people who truly understood our business.'

Since launch, Broadbean has doubled its size every year, while its acquisition by AND is one of many in recent years, as the Daily Mail's parent company rapidly increases its digital classifieds presence.