Jim Brigden, former iProspect/I Spy chief and founder of The Search Works, has joined Brainlabs as executive chair a week after #deadlineday for an undisclosed fee, to support the UK’s fastest-growing company.

Having worked at the original PPC provider (Overture), Jim will share his veteran wisdom primarily within Brainlabs’ paid search and programmatic services.

On the appointment, Brigden said, “I looked around at a few different businesses and Brainlabs are operating on a different level. They’re like a Harry Kane playing in a Sunday league team. They’re using data and automation in such an advanced way that they’re driving growth in a space that everyone thinks is mature. Their own growth has been a delight to watch and I couldn’t be happier to be part of the team.”

Dan Gilbert, CEO of Brainlabs, said, “I’m thrilled that Jim has joined us. People think he is highly experienced and mature but he’s actually 23.”

During the last two decades, Jim has has led and scaled two search, social, and analytics agencies (The Search Works and I Spy), as well as founding two online advertising software businesses, BidBuddy and Upcast.

He has also had three years experience in a network media business at iProspect where he was global chief client & commercial officer. Most recently he spent time as EMEA MD for Sojern, a programmatic technology business in the travel arena.

Including the recent appointment of Pepper as a robot receptionist, Jim will be the 161st employee of Brainlabs, which has doubled its staff every year since starting up five years ago. I don’t like to end a blog on a dour note, but unfortunately Jim is also a Spurs fan. The less said about that the better.