The UK & Irelands largest sign franchise company, Signs Express, is pleased to announce changes within their head office culminating in the appointment of a new managing director, Craig Brown, and two further directors to the business. In a move which confirms the bright future of the business, former managing director David Corbett becomes chairman of the leading sign franchise, Frank Eliel remains finance director and Tony Marsh and Peter Sayles become sales & marketing director and operations director respectively. The three key personnel – Craig, Tony and Peter - have all invested in the business to become shareholders, demonstrating their long term commitment to the successful business operation.

As founding directors of Signs Express, David Corbett and Frank Eliel first established the award winning franchise in 1989, discovering a gap in the market place for a professional signs and graphics operation using the then new technology of computer cut vinyl – rather than traditional paint methods. 18 years on and the business has grown year on year – with over 85 franchise territories occupied across both the UK & Ireland as well as an enviable reputation for quality and service within the sign industry. One of the Signs Express franchise first employees was Craig Brown, who joined the Norwich pilot operation first in a sign making capacity; and as the company grew, heading up the franchise support team, becoming director of franchise support in 2003. Craig is also an active member of the British Signs & Graphics Association, the trade body for the sign industry, becoming president in 2007. Tony Marsh and Peter Sayles have also both been with the company for many years, bringing with them a wealth of experience in both franchising and their own specialised fields. Commenting on his new appointment, Craig said, We have a strong team at head office and I am very proud of our achievements so far. The introduction of new directors and increase in shareholding ensures we have a long term sustainable future and enables us to develop the business further in the coming years. We are all very excited about the opportunities the new appointments will bring. Signs Express is a full member of the British Franchise Association and Irish Franchise Association and a member of both the British Sign and Graphics Association and International Sign Association.

Promoting best practice within the sign-making industry, Signs Express has acknowledged its key franchisee achievers at this years bi-annual convention. With nearly all of the 80-strong franchisees attending from all over the UK and Ireland, this years Signs Express Convention at the De Vere Dunston Hall hotel Norwich, proved to be the most successful to date. The two day learning experience gave guests the opportunity to increase their knowledge of latest market trends and developments, discuss corporate branding issues and have the opportunity to meet with key suppliers at a dedicated Supplier Forum. The culmination of the event was a glitzy black and white themed awards evening, created to reward franchisees for their continued commitment and growth as part of a leading sign-making franchise network. The Signs Excellence and the Franchisee awards gave all franchisees the opportunity to be fully recognised for their individual achievements. A number of centres entered but with only three finalists per category, competition was tough. This year saw David and Kim Nurse at Signs Express (Leeds) crowned The 2007 Franchisees of the Year, having also received the Newcomer of the Year award at the last Convention in 2005. Other winners included Malcolm Lant at Signs Express (Gateshead) winning Resale Franchisee of the Year and Stephen Read at Signs Express (Aylesbury) for best Greenfield Franchisee of the Year. Also celebrating this year’s awards were Neil and Carol Fraser at Signs Express (Glasgow) who won a double whammy. Firstly for the Best Interior Sign Award for internal signage at the new atrium building in the University of Bradford and secondly for Best Project for its Slaters contract - an ongoing project to supply signage for the leading clothing store. The Glasgow team were delighted to be named as finalists for five different projects, a first for the awards. Best Exterior Sign was awarded to Signs Express (Falkirk) for an illuminated sign for the Alloa Plant - franchisee Steve McMurray created a striking new entrance sign for the glass bottle manufacturer. And finally, Gareth and Julia Doherty at Signs Express (Wembley) revved into first place for Best Vehicle Graphics with two vehicle wraps on behalf of the RAF. The Sign Excellence awards were expertly judged by two members of the British Sign & Graphics Association, Mike Hall Chairman of the Technical Committee and Albert Baxter who is Director of the BSGA. Signs Express Managing Director David Corbett commented on the weekends events, Our bi-annual convention is always eagerly anticipated and once again this year was a complete success. It is never easy to choose from such an array of franchising talent, and with so many success stories this year the decision has not been any easier.

All of this years winners have proved worthy of their titles and are true examples of the theme of this years convention - Proud to Franchise. Since its inception in 1989, Signs Express has developed into the largest sign company in the UK and Ireland providing a complete design, manufacture and fitting service for all forms of signage including interior and exterior signs, vehicle graphics, banners, window graphics and exhibition display products. Steve Read, owner of Signs Express (Aylesbury), has been open just under a year but is already showing all the signs of success as he describes his franchise choice and his business progress so far. Before I became a Signs Express franchisee, I had spent 25 years in the RAF as a navigator on the Tornado Ground Attack aircraft. I reached a natural break in my contract period and could have stayed and although I loved my time in the military I wanted a new and different challenge. The timing was also right with my family and children settled so I decided to make the break. I had an aspiration from an early age that one day I would start my own business and following 25 years in a large organisation I wanted to run a smaller concern where I could take decisions on my own and which would take effect immediately. Although I had a lot of management experience from the military I did not have a lot of commercial experience so a franchise with a proven record and excellent support seemed a logical choice. I looked at many different franchises and in particular I focused on the business model and support provided from the various franchisors. Some franchisors offer the world but with little to substantiate it so I was drawn to a more established franchisor with a proven track record and the potential market for signs and graphics is enormous. This ultimately led to me setting up the Signs Express (Aylesbury) centre. It has been a huge change moving from the armed forces to a start up business and the thing I noticed first of all was that running a business could be a lonely position to be in. However, with the support of the Signs Express HQ staff and the other Signs Express centre owners this was made much easier – there is rarely a day goes by without some form of contact with the rest of the group. The first year is always going to be the most difficult and has been extremely busy for us, but also thoroughly rewarding as we have had a great start to the business, exceeding our targets before the year end. The key is definitely hard work but also simply following the basic principles that we were taught in our training. Our aim is to be noticed above our competitors, provide excellent service and quality products and market ourselves, with support from HQ, in any way we can. One of the most satisfying feelings is when you first start to get repeat business. This means you have satisfied customers and is the foundation for the future. My goal is to continue to grow the business and also give those working for me more responsibility as time goes on. This will allow me to focus on the wider issues involved in business planning – who knows maybe even on the golf course, In the longer term I look to other franchisees and see the possibilities – so am very excited about what the future will bring.

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