Spotlight Series: Ryan Sidley
People are our greatest asset. Without them, PC Group wouldn’t be where it is today. To honour those who keep PC Group running, we’ve launched our Spotlight Series. This series will focus on the individual achievements and journeys of key staff members who have made PC Group into what it is today.
Our first spotlight will shine on PC Group’s longest-serving team member, Ryan Sidley, the General Manager of our specialist taxi and private hire licensing solution, TaxiPlus.
Ryan’s Journey
Ryan started with PC Group (then, Personnel Checks) back in 2008 as a Business Administration apprentice. Still fresh-faced and 16, Ryan wasn’t too sure what he wanted from his career but threw himself into every project and role offered to him.
Given the opportunity to work across all areas of the business, it quickly became apparent that Ryan had a gift for sales and account management. It wasn’t long before his commercial awareness would set him on an unexpected career path.
Whilst visiting with one of Personnel Checks’ local authority clients, Ryan noticed the way DBS Checks were processed for taxi and private hire drivers was incredibly time-consuming and a massive task for local authorities. Ryan realised there was huge potential for a business that could solve this problem.
The launch of Taxi+
Explaining his idea to the founders of Personnel Checks, Richard and Michelle Mellor, they gave him the green light to develop his idea. This idea grew into a mini-brand within Personnel Checks, known as Taxi+, which was launched in 2012.
Starting as a simple outsourced solution for taxi and private hire driver DBS Checks, Taxi+ rapidly acquired a series of local authority customers across the North West.
To cement Taxi+ as the go-to brand, Ryan expanded the service offering to ensure a complete solution for taxi licensing teams. Starting with DVLA Checks and expanding to include electronic knowledge tests and CPD-accredited safeguarding training, Taxi+ became the market leader.
The birth of TaxiPlus
As Taxi+ continued its meteoric rise, Ryan believed it was time for the brand to be launched as a business in its own right. Following a record year in 2020, Taxi+ was rebranded and relaunched as TaxiPlus. Leading the business as General Manager, Ryan’s determination and vision have led TaxiPlus to acquire 100+ local authority clients, securing its position as the complete compliance solution for taxi and private hire licensing.
The Future
16 years on and Ryan is still demonstrating the same passion and dedication to his role as he did on his first day.
Always looking for ways to improve TaxiPlus’ service offering, he is currently working on several development projects in partnership with customers. He believes that by working closely with customers he can create solutions that work in the real world and actively make their working lives easier.
To keep up with Ryan, you can follow him and TaxiPlus on LinkedIn.
