Former JDA chairman hopkins returns with new online ventures
Carl Hopkins, the former chairman of marketing agency The JDA Group, is taking the helm with a pair of online startup businesses launching this year.
He has taken on the major shareholder role in Joblink Systems Ltd, a network system providing recruitment technology via a web 2.0 application that claims to be the first of its kind in the UK. It is due to launch later this month.
Hopkins is keeping the details of his second appointment close to his chest, but has disclosed that he is investing in a web-based charity fundraising business that will launch before the end of the year. It will involve a four man partnership headed up by Simon Pailin – Hopkins’s first boss at JDA.
“I never thought I would work with my old boss again but this proves you can never say never,” Hopkins said. “Simon showed me his idea for the business over lunch and I was hooked. It’s a great concept and we can’t wait to get it to the general public”
In addition, Hopkins has also accepted a board member role with women’s networking organisation, Forward Ladies.
“I was intrigued when I heard of the opportunity to join the board and delighted when my application was accepted,” he said.
“Etta Cohen has done an amazing job and I relish the prospect of helping her and her team in the future”.
Hopkins sold his majority shareholding of JDA to Martin Smith of The Direct Marketing Group in June.
“It’s an exciting time for me. When I sold my shares in JDA it was the deal I was looking for. I left JDA a very happy man and felt the company was in safe hands with Martin Smith and his team.”