AgentBase was founded in 1993 by Paul Brown at a time when independent, commission-based sales agents were largely underserved by traditional recruitment channels. In fact, there were no other UK companies dedicated to this market at the time. From the outset, AgentBase set out to specialise exclusively in one area: helping businesses connect with professional, self-employed sales agents, and helping those agents find meaningful, long-term opportunities.
At a time when independent sales agents were often overlooked by the wider recruitment industry, AgentBase chose to focus entirely on this specialist market. That focus has remained unchanged for more than three decades and is a big part of why AgentBase has become one of the most recognised names in the UK sales agent sector.
From the very beginning, the emphasis was on doing things properly. AgentBase was built on real-world experience of commission-based sales, and on the belief that both companies and agents are more successful when expectations are clear, information is shared openly, and relationships are set up on the right foundations.
One of the most well-known parts of AgentBase’s history is its Agency Opportunities Magazine. Originally published as a physical monthly magazine and sent directly to sales agents, it became a key source of new assignments across a wide range of industries. In 2012, the magazine transitioned to a digital format, making it easier for agents to access opportunities while preserving the depth and structure that had made it so valuable. Today, a full back catalogue is available online, reflecting years of activity and connections made through the platform.
Beyond listings, AgentBase has always placed strong emphasis on education and guidance. Over the years, the AgentBase team has produced a wide range of practical resources designed to help both agents and companies succeed. These include informative articles on recruiting and managing sales agents, guidance on commission structures and territories, legal and contractual considerations, and best-practice advice drawn from decades of experience in the sector.
AgentBase is also known for its sales agent training course, which has helped many agents better understand the realities of commission-based selling and how to build a sustainable portfolio of principals. Alongside this, the site has long served as a knowledge hub for anyone new to working with sales agents, as well as those looking to refine how they recruit and collaborate with them.
Behind AgentBase was a dedicated and experienced team, led by founder Paul Brown, and supported over the years by Coco the Cocker, who became something of a much-loved mascot. Together, they helped shape a platform that prioritised professionalism, clarity, and long-term relationships within the independent sales agent market.
In January 2026, all AgentBase assets were acquired by Sales Agents Ltd, the company behind Salesagents.uk. For many years, Salesagents.uk and AgentBase had competed to be the leading specialist provider in the sales agent space, each building strong communities, tools, and services in parallel. Bringing everything together means that the combined resources, agent networks, experience, and technology from both platforms are now part of the same service.
Sales Agents Ltd shares AgentBase’s long-standing values of being a genuine people business, with a strong emphasis on high-quality, effective services and friendly, personal support. With the combined strengths of both platforms, companies and sales agents can now access a broader network, deeper expertise, and a more complete set of tools than ever before, resulting in better service and stronger outcomes.