# Dean Benson

> Dean Benson is a British technology entrepreneur, Visualsoft co-founder and former CEO, and co-founder of Pulse Reviews. A 1997 Teesside University computer science graduate, he led Visualsoft’s 2014 management buyout and its development as an ecommerce platform and marketing business before Livingbridge invested in 2020. His public work also includes a Visualsoft board role, AI and automation through Dean.id, university governance and support for digital education in the Tees Valley.

- **Role:** Co-founder at Pulse Reviews; board member and co-founder at Visualsoft
- **Organizations:** Visualsoft, Pulse Reviews, Dean.id, Teesside University, Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Northern Stable, Tech Equal, Goofbid.com, BGI Residential
- **From:** Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
- **Nationality:** British
- **Education:** BSc (Hons) Computer Science, Teesside University, Honorary Doctor of Science, Teesside University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Visualsoft in 1998 and led its 2014 management buyout., Built Visualsoft into a business which Livingbridge reported served more than 1,000 customers and generated £18.5 million in FY2020 revenue at the time of its investment., Established the Dean Benson Scholarship programme through a £50,000 personal gift announced in 2021.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — Graduated in computer science from Teesside University.
- **1998** — Co-founded Visualsoft; the business initially offered online training before moving into ecommerce.
- **2014** — Led a Visualsoft management buyout with Tim Johnson, Matt Burton and David Duke joining the management board.
- **2014** — Introduced flexible working and unlimited holidays at Visualsoft, as described in later interviews.
- **2019** — Advocated closer collaboration between digital businesses and education providers at an Entrepreneurs’ Forum event.
- **2020** — Livingbridge announced its investment in Visualsoft on 10 November.
- **2021** — Announced a £50,000 personal gift establishing the Dean Benson Scholarship programme at Teesside University.
- **2024** — Received Teesside University’s Long Service Volunteer Award.
- **2025** — Awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Teesside University in July; described building Pulse Reviews with business partner Kiya in December.
- **2026** — Public profiles describe his Visualsoft board involvement, Pulse Reviews co-founder role and AI and automation work through Dean.id.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Visualsoft in 1998 and led its 2014 management buyout.
- Built Visualsoft into a business which Livingbridge reported served more than 1,000 customers and generated £18.5 million in FY2020 revenue at the time of its investment.
- Established the Dean Benson Scholarship programme through a £50,000 personal gift announced in 2021.
- Contributed £20,000 to a campaign providing computing equipment for local children.
- Received Teesside University’s Long Service Volunteer Award in 2024 and an honorary Doctor of Science in 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Listed as a panellist for North East BIC’s 25 September Growth Lab event; the biography highlights AI, automation and digital transformation through Dean.id.
- **2025-12** — Described working with business partner Kiya on Pulse Reviews and experimenting with home automation in a public Q&A.
- **2025-07** — Awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Teesside University.

## Links

- Website: https://dean.id/
- LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/deanbenson

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dean-benson
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22