Steve, 41, started his career at GEC as a software engineer, where he met his wife Julie. Before dedicating his time to the development of the site he worked at ITL and Bovis Construction and freelanced on large insurance pension systems as consultant, alongside business partner, and co-founder of Friends Reunited, Jason Porter. He formed Happy Group with Jason in 2000 to write their own internet sites, of which Friends Reunited is one.
In his free time he plays with daughters Amber and Sally and watches and plays football.
Julie, 38, started her career as a Software Engineering Apprentice for GEC Avionics. She went on to become a Senior Analyst Programmer at MFI Furniture Centres where she designed and wrote their EPOS systems. She left MFI to have her first child on 1st January 2000. Whilst on maternity leave, with her database knowledge and desire to know what her old friends were doing, she thought up the idea of Friends Reunited.
Julie spends her free time enjoying the company of friends - both new and old - and spending quality time with her children. She is also a budding photographer.
Jason, 39, worked for Racal and Bovis Construction before teaming up with Steve to write bespoke packages for various companies. He co-founded Happy Group with Steve and Julie to try out internet ideas. In his spare time, Jason races Minis.
Michael, 40, took over the helm at Friends Reunited in February 2003, following a successful management buy-in. Prior to joining Friends Reunited, he had a 20-year career with Pearson PLC, including roles as Chief Operations Officer at FT.com and Managing Director of FT Business, culminating in being COO of the Financial Times Newspaper.
Whilst at FT.com, he helped the site break even and introduced subscription charges. At FT Business he re-focused the company as a specialist publisher of market leading magazines whose properties included The Banker and the Investors Chronicle. He is also a Non-Exec Director of Datamonitor PLC.
Out of office hours, Michael is a keen golfer. He has two daughters and lives in Kent.
Rob, 36, joined Friends Reunited as Finance Director after a management buy-in, in February 2003. He trained with Arthur Andersen in the early 90s where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant, after which he spent three years working in industry in the Midlands. He moved to London in 1998, joining BDO Stoy Hayward's Corporate Finance team where he advised entrepreneurs on the sale of their businesses. It was during his time at BDO that he met the founders of Friends Reunited, Steve Pankhurst and Jason Porter.
When his time outside work isn't taken up with his two young sons, Rob also enjoys good restaurants, socialising and running, swimming and cycling and competing in triathlons.
Tim, 40, joined Friends Reunited in June 2003 from the Financial Times where he was Marketing Director for both the Newspaper and FT.com. Prior to this the majority of Tim's career had been spent in telecoms, including BellSouth, Mercury one2one and from 1993 to 2000 with Vodafone UK. Tim is married and has a 7 year old son.