Ian Harris

CEO

Ian began his career in programming. He went on to develop internet based systems; including a bespoke job system for managing translation services. This led to him being appointed as Chief Technical Officer for one of the world's largest web localisation companies.

It was in this role that Ian witnessed many large organisations trying to build search campaigns in other languages; either by translating keywords themselves or by using a student intern to do the necessary work. Ian created Search Laboratory to fill this gap in the market and to provide a dedicated multilingual search marketing service. Ian's approach to search marketing was unique however – he used scientific and mathematical methods to improve the efficiency and profitability of search marketing for his clients in any language.

Ian has successfully helped companies such as British Airways, IBM, HSBC and Novell tap into new markets and take their websites abroad.

Ian has a first class degree in Maths from Lancaster University and also an MSc from Leeds University in Internet Technologies. His passion for mathematics and the internet have essentially culminated in the creation of Search Laboratory.

Ian demands particularly high standards from his team; he doesn't let people in to the business lightly, but equally his priority is ensuring that once employed staff are well trained, challenged, rewarded, and happy.

Ian is married, has three children and a pet snake. Ian enjoys football and is a season ticket holder at Leeds United. In addition, Ian has played the guitar since he was seven years old and loves rock music.

John Readman

New Business Director

John is responsible for continuing and accelerating the global growth and expansion of Search Laboratory. Day to day, John manages the sales and marketing functions as well as proactively signing up new clients himself.

John has a degree in Management with Japanese from Nottingham University. In past roles John was responsible for the successful growth of several internet based marketing services companies, namely Communicator Corp. and You at Work (Barclays). John discovered his passion for marketing technology while working at QAS Ltd (now Experian QAS) where he was responsible for significantly growing their market share and he also contributed towards the successful sale to Experian.

John met Ian Harris, CEO at a digital industry conference in Verbier, Switzerland – Digital Ski organised by Econsultancy. Both quickly established they shared a love for Leeds United and all things Yorkshire and there was an instant synergy between Ian and John which later led to John coming to work for Search Laboratory as New Business Director.

John believes that growing a successful technology business is about concerted team effort and recruiting and retaining the right staff.

John is married with two children and as a former rugby player; John enjoys supporting and following England rugby. John is a keen skier and relishes every opportunity he gets to get on piste. John also plays (badly) in goal for Search Laboratory's five-a-side football team when required.

Paul Shearing

Technical Manager

Paul was Search Laboratory's first staff member. He joined Ian in 2005 as a Software Developer. His role was to develop innovative, industry leading solutions for PPC bid management.

Paul studied Business Studies at Sheffield and went on to focus his expertise in software development and web technologies with the Open University. Prior to joining our business, Paul worked in the actuarial field for Co-operative Financial Services, developing and testing statistical calculations on their mainframe systems.

Paul has been instrumental in the development of the pay per click processes and procedures that have led to Search Laboratory becoming a leader in the industry. He led the development of BidLab™, our proprietary bid management system, and heads our development team that build solutions for larger clients with bespoke requirements.

Paul is passionate about conversion optimisation and works with our strategy and design team to deliver double or treble figure percentage increases in conversion for our clients around the world.

In his spare time Paul enjoys sport, particularly rugby and also participates in several triathlons each year.

Tim Carr

Global Operations Manager

Tim has worked for Search Laboratory since 2007 and is responsible for the successful delivery of our SEO and PPC campaigns. He manages and drives our teams of SEO specialists, linguists, link builders and PPC account managers. It is Tim's responsibility to ensure that all our staff are using the best possible practices and processes and that they are delivering the right results for our clients.

Tim has a degree in Economics and prior to working for Search Laboratory he spent 11 years working in the translation and localisation industry for The Big Word. Tim undertook various roles at The Big Word including; Project Management, Operations and he went on to be responsible for implementing large-scale translation projects for clients such as IBM, Honda and HSBC. Due to his expertise in translation and localisation, Tim has played a major role in developing our Multilingual Search offering.

Tim has overseen the growth of the Search Laboratory team; his own team has grown tenfold in the last 3 years and continues to grow. In his spare time Tim likes to run and cycle in order to keep fit. Tim also enjoys eating out with friends.

Ron Harris

Financial Director

Ron manages our Finance and Legal departments but is also responsible for looking after our internal systems.

Ron's first role in 1962 was as a computer programmer and he has been working in computer technology and communications ever since. Ron went on to become a Systems Analyst, then to consultancy and then into sales and sales management. As a result of a successful selling career he felt confident enough to start his own company.

In 1980 Ron started his own business selling bespoke software and computing systems. Baron Systems became a huge success and at its height it employed fifty staff. Ron sold the company in 2000 in order to retire.

When Search Laboratory was born in 2005, Ron couldn't pass up the opportunity to be involved and came out of retirement to join forces with his son, Ian, and help manage Search Laboratory.

Ron loves sport, particularly golf which he plays every week. Ron also swims, cycles and plays tennis regularly.