Ross Williams (businessman)
Ross Williams (born 1978) is an internet entrepreneur who founded WhiteLabelDating, international provider of online dating systems that enable partners to set up their own branded online dating sites.
Born in Berkshire, England Williams later moved to Canada where he taught at Royal St. George's College before returning to the UK in 1997 to study Psychology and French at the University of Plymouth.
Internet career
Williams began his career in 2000/2001 during the Internet boom with the launch of his first business Rawnet Limited, a web design and development agency, and Servicepals.com, the first military social network for armed forces. In 2003 Williams expanded his online business portfolio with the launch of Global Personals which quickly began bringing in £250,000 in revenue per month and a 20% profit. Williams next launched the Global Personals B2B product, WhiteLabelDating.com
In 2006 Williams, 27 years old and responsible for four companies, was shortlisted as Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the CBI Growing Business Awards.
In 2007, Ross was selected as one of the top 10 “people to watch” in the business category of the Courvoisier Future 500 which selects those in the UK tipped to be future leaders in business.
In 2008, Global Personals won at the Fast Growth Business Awards, which recognises the rapid growth and potential of the chosen businesses. Later that year, WhiteLabelDating also received an honourable mention in the ‘Tenon Entrepreneurial Spirit’ category of the National Business Awards.
In 2009, WhiteLabelDating announced annual revenue in excess £25 million. A 2009 article in The Sunday Times stated that Williams expects that by the end of FY09, profits will have risen to £3m on sales of £20m
See also
- List of leading online dating sites
- Entrepreneur
- Internet entrepreneur
- dot-com bubble
- Online dating service
- Dating system
- List of social networking websites