Margery Hurst stands as a towering figure in British business history, renowned as one of the UK’s wealthiest and most self-assured women. Her confidence is undeniably well-founded. In 1946, armed with a mere $200 loan, she established what would become Britain’s largest secretarial employment agency: the Brook Street Bureau. Hurst’s unwavering belief in her venture from the outset was pivotal to its monumental success. This pivotal moment in business history saw Brook Street Bureau transition into a publicly traded company, offering 540,000 shares valued at over $1,000,000, while Hurst and her family retained a substantial 73% control, cementing her legacy and influence in the staffing sector.
Brook Street Bureau’s impact is undeniable, annually placing over 250,000 individuals in roles through its innovative advertising and commitment to respectful candidate treatment. The agency boasts an impressive roster of clients, including industry giants like Philips, Monsanto, Woolworth, Pan American, and Bendix, all willing to invest in the premium services that Mrs. Hurst proudly described as “the Rolls-Royce of employment agencies.” This reputation was built on meticulous candidate screening, rigorously evaluating professional skills, personality, and presentation. Brook Street Bureau’s selectivity was stringent, accepting only one in three applicants and mandating a minimum of three years’ experience for shorthand typists, ensuring a consistently high caliber of personnel for their discerning clientele. Initially, Mrs. Hurst’s exacting standards even required applicants to match her own exceptional typing speed, a benchmark she later adjusted to a still-demanding “95% perfection” as the agency scaled.
This relentless pursuit of excellence propelled Brook Street Bureau to remarkable financial heights. Profits surged from $55,000 in 1955 to over half a million dollars the following year, a testament to Hurst’s astute business acumen and the agency’s unwavering quality. Expanding beyond its London headquarters, Brook Street Bureau established a network of 46 branches, including five new locations in the preceding year alone. The agency’s global vision extended to international offices in New York, San Francisco, and Sydney, Australia, facilitating a dynamic exchange of talent, placing British secretaries in American and Australian firms and vice versa.
Margery Hurst’s dedication and strategic approach transformed Brook Street Bureau into a symbol of staffing excellence and personal achievement. Her success afforded her a luxurious lifestyle, complete with a 22-room country estate in Surrey, a Mayfair apartment, a Bentley, a swimming pool, and household staff. Yet, amidst these trappings of wealth, Brook Street Bureau remained her most cherished accomplishment. “I have built up this business on my own,” she asserted with pride, underscoring her singular vision and determination. “Absolutely on my own. It is a one-woman show,” a fitting summary of her extraordinary entrepreneurial journey and the enduring legacy of Brook Street Bureau in the staffing industry.
