Our story

Our story begins when Tom and Kate Ellis set up Harlequin Software in 1986. Our initial software programs were for hospitals. Tom’s love of Venice is the inspiration for our company name.

One of our earliest systems, our Patients’ Monies software continues to be developed. It is one of the only specialist software packages of its kind in the UK.

Originally written for hospital charities, Harlequin Charitable Accounting is one of our core systems. It is constantly developed and evolves according to sector changes and user group feedback.

Harlequin operates within purpose-built offices in the grounds of the Ellis family home in Wiltshire. This provides an idyllic working environment – close to the M4.

Martin joins the team as a Junior Programmer. Over 27 years later, he’s an integral part of the team as our Head of Product and Operations.

It was evident that our software for hospital charities could be used right across the charity arena. In 2006, we took a strategic move to gradually expand into more NFP markets with our newly delivered CRM product.  Now over 350 organisations use our software from many sectors.

Dom Ellis joined the team to learn the ropes from his parents Tom and Kate. He is now Director of Training and travels all over the UK delivering training to our clients.

A major upgrade of Harlequin CRM was delivered utilising the Microsoft SQL Server relational database and .NET technologies. Our CRM software continues to progress in response to our user group and sector demands.

Harlequin ranked highest in the annual Charity CRM Software Survey which featured in Fundraising magazine. We have rated highly every year since. 

Harlequin Software was voted the Best Database Supplier at the Institute of Fundraising’s Partners in Fundraising Awards 2014.

We issued a major new release of Harlequin Charitable Accounting that can be used by any charity – and works seamlessly with Harlequin CRM.

For the 14th year, Harlequin scored highly across the board in the Charity CRM Survey published each year in Fundraising Magazine.

Harlequin CRM Web launches in January with a fresh contemporary design and a string of exciting new features.