Awards top off a best-ever year for Signs Express

29 November 2017

Signs Express, the UK’s leading signs and graphics franchise, had a lot to celebrate at their annual Convention held recently at the prestigious Hilton Deansgate Hotel in Manchester.

 

Not only is the award-winning franchise celebrating its 25th anniversary of franchising, the first franchisee, Nick Dawes, still with the business today, but also its best-ever turnover in the company’s history.

Managing Director and qualified franchise professional (QFP) Craig Brown, used the opportunity of the Convention to present a number of awards to the franchise network and also set out plans for the coming years, including huge investments in new staff and infrastructure to grow the support available to franchisees even further.

The investment and new initiatives launched at the event follow a fantastic year for Signs Express, which has seen four new franchisees joining the network and a further five training early next year. Finance Director, Jonathan Bean, also took to the platform to announce the increased start-up package contribution for new franchisees of £30,000; helping brand-new franchisees to reach profitability even faster.

Big winners on the night were Signs Express Plymouth franchisees Chris and Vida Reilly and Signs Express Portsmouth franchisees Ray and Jane Allenby who were both named as franchisees of the year.

 

On the joint winners Craig said, “It was impossible to choose between both franchisees and so, for the first time ever, we announced two winners of our coveted award. They’re a real credit to our network and I am delighted for them both.”

“Signs Express Plymouth has celebrated their 20th anniversary with Signs Express this year, making sure 2017 is one of its most memorable yet. The Plymouth centre has embraced the support on offer to drive a real shift change in their business, investing time and energy in local proactive sales and marketing activities, with fantastic results showing sales growth of 24%.”

“Shortlisted for the 2016 British Franchise Association Customer Service award, Signs Express Portsmouth have delivered outstanding levels of growth in 2017, currently standing at 65%, by clearly setting targets and plans that they are delivering against. This has included dramatic changes to their team structure. With support from the Franchise Support Centre they have been proactively building relationships with key customers and doing what Signs Express do best…delivering outstanding customer service.”

The franchise network was also asked to present their best work for judging in the annual Sign Awards. Franchisees and their staff were then asked to vote for their favourite projects.

Signs Express Sheffield picked up two awards for best exterior sign and interior sign for their work with Bombardier and Sheffield Children’s Hospital respectively. Plus, their sign maker James Stuchbury was named as a joint employee of the year alongside Signs Express Exeter employee Alice Dowle, both of whom were recently named as finalists in the British Sign & Graphics Association young sign maker of the year award.

Best project went to Signs Express Basildon for their work at the leisure facility Jump Evolution and Signs Express Bedford won the coveted award for best vehicle graphics for their double decker full bus wrap and lastly the award for most striking sign went to Signs Express Central Lancashire this year for their work at Moor Park School. 


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