Charles Donald sold his management consultancy company and was looking forward to retirement when he was tempted back into business by Chris Jamieson. The two founded Gabem in 1998 to handle the accounting, administration and payroll for temporary and contract workers, mainly at construction businesses. It manages 25,000 workers. The company’s sales have grown 197% a year from £341,000 in 2000 to £8.9m in 2003.