Alexandra Kelly
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Kelly is the founder and MD of UK pre-employment screening company, Powerchex
, and is now MD of HireRight's background screening operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Alexandra was born and raised in Greece and moved to the USA aged 25 to study for an MBA at one of the top business schools. She arrived in the UK in 2000 - interrupting a round the world sailing trip with her husband - after discovering she was expecting their first child.
In 2005 she started Powerchex
, a pre-employment screening firm specifically targeted at the London
financial sector. Seeking investment, she went to face the BBC’s Dragons' Den
to pitch her business. The Dragons rejected her idea and said it couldn’t be done. Alexandra decided to go for it on her own, hired one employee and found a small office. On June 23 2010, California based HireRight Inc., a U.S. background screening company, announced that it had acquired Powerchex, with Alexandra being made Managing Director of HireRight's background screening operations in the EMEA region.
In 2007 she won 'Business Person of the Year' in the Thames Gateway Business Awards, whilst also guiding Powerchex
to awards for 'Growth Business' and 'Business of the Year'. In 2008 Powerchex was awarded the NatWest Thames Gateway Business of the Year. In 2009, Powerchex won the DBC & East London Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award.
Kelly was profiled in UK newspaper The Financial Times explaining the processes behind Powerchex
and where she attributes her success. In August 2009 she was interviewed on BBC News
about research which found that the number of job applicants lying on their CVs has been increasing since the beginning of the recession
.
Powerchex
Powerchex is a UK based pre-employment screening company specialising in the financial services sector in the City of London.Powerchex is a full member of the UK chapter of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners or NAPBS, and was started by Alexandra Kelly in 2005 who is the...
, and is now MD of HireRight's background screening operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Alexandra was born and raised in Greece and moved to the USA aged 25 to study for an MBA at one of the top business schools. She arrived in the UK in 2000 - interrupting a round the world sailing trip with her husband - after discovering she was expecting their first child.
In 2005 she started Powerchex
Powerchex
Powerchex is a UK based pre-employment screening company specialising in the financial services sector in the City of London.Powerchex is a full member of the UK chapter of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners or NAPBS, and was started by Alexandra Kelly in 2005 who is the...
, a pre-employment screening firm specifically targeted at the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
financial sector. Seeking investment, she went to face the BBC’s Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den is a series of reality television programmes featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in order to secure investment finance from a panel of venture capitalists. The show originated in Japan as "Manē no Tora"...
to pitch her business. The Dragons rejected her idea and said it couldn’t be done. Alexandra decided to go for it on her own, hired one employee and found a small office. On June 23 2010, California based HireRight Inc., a U.S. background screening company, announced that it had acquired Powerchex, with Alexandra being made Managing Director of HireRight's background screening operations in the EMEA region.
In 2007 she won 'Business Person of the Year' in the Thames Gateway Business Awards, whilst also guiding Powerchex
Powerchex
Powerchex is a UK based pre-employment screening company specialising in the financial services sector in the City of London.Powerchex is a full member of the UK chapter of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners or NAPBS, and was started by Alexandra Kelly in 2005 who is the...
to awards for 'Growth Business' and 'Business of the Year'. In 2008 Powerchex was awarded the NatWest Thames Gateway Business of the Year. In 2009, Powerchex won the DBC & East London Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award.
Kelly was profiled in UK newspaper The Financial Times explaining the processes behind Powerchex
Powerchex
Powerchex is a UK based pre-employment screening company specialising in the financial services sector in the City of London.Powerchex is a full member of the UK chapter of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners or NAPBS, and was started by Alexandra Kelly in 2005 who is the...
and where she attributes her success. In August 2009 she was interviewed on BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
about research which found that the number of job applicants lying on their CVs has been increasing since the beginning of the recession
Recession
In economics, a recession is a business cycle contraction, a general slowdown in economic activity. During recessions, many macroeconomic indicators vary in a similar way...
.