The history of Brunel

This was the year that Jan Brand, a graduate engineer himself, placed his first fellow engineer in a temporary position. With this first step, Jan Brand distinguished himself as a pioneer in the development of the temporary employment sector. Over the years this would become an international industry and an indispensable stabilising factor in local and international labour markets. This first placement, made when the company was operating under the name of Multec, also marks the beginning of Brunel's colourful history.

The first office

Typical of these early years was the emphasis on placing highly qualified, technical specialists. Even now Brunel is still known for this focus. The first office was established in Delft, the same city where Jan Brand attended university and a city that attracts many young engineers.

Rapid growth

The business of temporary placement of engineers experiences rapid growth. Companies are quick to realise how flexibility can enhance their processes. Newly graduated engineers know that working on a range of different projects for various companies will accelerate their own careers. This winning formula leads to new company offices. The Multec flag is soon waving in every Dutch city with a technical university or polytechnic. This operation runs with almost military precision: as soon as one office grows and flourishes, another one is in the works.

Introducing a single corporate name: Brunel

From 1989, non-engineering markets were also entered into: IT, Finance, Insurance & Banking, and Legal. A name change was in order and Brunel was chosen for the well-known and innovative British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This engineer is perhaps best known for his design of a series of bridges and the Great Western Railway. Brunel was renowned for the use of new, unconventional techniques and for creating works that would previously have been considered impossible. His technical genius paved the way for a new era in engineering. Isambard Kingdom Brunel is still acclaimed as the greatest engineer in British history.

Non-engineering activities

During its first fifteen years, had Brunel focused specifically on placing technical professionals. This changed in 1989 with the founding of Euromatch, a business unit that places highly qualified specialists in non-engineering fields. The principle of ‘specialists placing specialists’ is deeply embedded in Brunel’s DNA, and the company remains true to this principle through its market diversification. During a later phase, Euromatch leads to the formation of new, independently-operating companies: Brunel ICT, Brunel Legal, Brunel Finance, and Brunel Insurance & Banking. Each new professional field is the formation of a new biotope, fostering the acquisition of professional expertise and knowledge of new markets.

The founding of Brunel Energy

One of the sectors in which flexible labor has long been intensively deployed is in the international oil and gas sector. In 1995, Brunel sets up a separate business unit for this sector, named Brunel Energy. It quickly becomes one of Brunel’s fastest growing entities. Brunel Energy’s international network is grown through acquisitions of companies abroad, namely in Scotland. Soon, Brunel is able to provide major international oil and gas companies with highly-qualified technical personnel. Brunel Energy’s success is a superb example of the enterprising spirit of Brunel and its people: a relatively small company, conquering the world with its daring, perseverance, and ingenuity.

First Amsterdam Stock Exchange quotation

Twenty years after its founding, Brunel is a significant player in the growing temporary employment sector. A listing on the stock exchange provides Brunel with international status and a solid financial basis, underlying its growth strategy for the future.  Since its introduction, the value of Brunel stock has fluctuated according to the whims of the stock market. After the euphoric conditions of its first years on the stock exchange, less favorable years follow as a result of the economic recession that begins in 2000. More recently with Brunel’s continuous increase of turnover and profitability, the company is now listed on the NExt Prime Segment and the Amsterdam Small Cap Index (AscX).

Brunel / Sunergy

In 1997, Brunel sponsors the prestigious Whitbread Race, the final edition of the longest globe-circling regatta which became a media spectacle. Along with the listing on the stock exchange and the publicity surrounding the Brunel / Sunergy team, Brunel’s image is transformed from a relatively unknown company to an imposing presence.The decision to associate Brunel with sailing is no accident. Jan Brand, the company’s founder (and the major shareholder since the company has been listed) is crazy about the sport himself. Besides this, sailing the ocean is a perfect symbol for Brunel’s international ambitions. 

The new Amsterdam corporate office

As of 2010, Brunel is a business with an annual turnover of EUR 730 million, an EBIT of EUR 45 million, and an international network of 90 offices in 32 countries. Brunel’s ambitions are only increased by this success, and its team of 8.000 professionals is ready for the next challenge, starting with the latest form of service: Brunel Global Professionals. Looking to the future in every aspect of the company, Brunel moves in this year to a new corporate headquarters. On the 19th of March, Brunel’s new offices are officially opened by Jan Brand, founder and major shareholder, and Jan Arie van Barneveld, CEO of Brunel International. 

NYSE Liffe

On the 5th of April, 2011 trading in options on the shares of Brunel International N.V. start on NYSE Liffe, the Europe-based derivatives business of NYSE Euronext.

Volvo Ocean Race sponsorship

On the 3rd of December, 2013 Brunel International N.V. announces it will be the main sponsor of a Dutch team in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitebread Round the World Race), which Team Brunel would finish in second place. In the 2017-2018 edition of the race, Brunel would again sponsor a Dutch team, but also become the Official Human Resources Partner of the event. In that year’s race, Team Brunel would again reach the podium; they would receive bronze in a race of special significance, as the finish line was in the Dutch city of The Hague. 

Peter de Laat appointed CEO

In August 2024, the Supervisory Board appointed Peter de Laat to take over from Jilko Andringa as CEO of Brunel on October 1, 2024.

De Laat joined Brunel in 2012 and became Chief Financial Officer in 2014. He had previously worked for sixteen years with Deloitte Accountants, where he was responsible for auditing Brunel. He therefore brings an extensive knowledge of and broad experience with the Brunel business to the CEO position.