Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has announced the appointment of Andy Byskup as its new franchise manager covering the South East. Byskup, who previously spent 10 years as a franchisor in South Africa, returns to the UK with his family and will now support 13 regionally based Card Connection franchisees throughout Anglia and the Midlands.

Michael Johnson, Managing Director of Card Connection explains: “We have six full time franchise managers looking after our network of almost 70 franchisees across the UK and Ireland. Our franchise manager for the South East recently decided she wanted to run her own business and so has actually become a Card Connection franchisee! With Andy’s corporate knowledge, plus his experience running his own franchised music operation in South Africa, he is now well placed to take over the role.”

“Andy will focus on helping our self-employed franchisees run thriving businesses,” continues Johnson. “This may mean assisting in opening new retail accounts, building stronger client relationships by engaging more closely with retail customers or helping and supporting franchisees overcome obstacles which may be holding them back. We are delighted to welcome Andy to the team and wish him the very best of luck in his new position.”

“I was impressed with Card Connection from the outset,” confirms Andy Byskup, Franchise Manager of Card Connection. “Without exception, the staff are friendly and professional, down to earth and direct.”

“I also love Card Connection’s concept, they have an extensive range of greetings cards and accessories designed in-house with the huge resource that is UKG behind the company,” continues Byskup. “Card Connection is everything I would expect from the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. I am now very much looking forward to sharing my own experiences with the team, adding value and helping drive profitability by creating more win-win-win situations for franchisees, retailers and Card Connection alike.”

Before setting up his own music franchise in South Africa, amongst other roles, Andy Byskup spent 11 years as a product portfolio manager for BT looking after 100 UK stores.

Card Connection is celebrating 25 years as a franchisor and is part of UK Greetings, a subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., one of the largest greetings card publishers in the world. Since the franchise network in the UK and Ireland is complete, the available opportunities for franchisees joining the network now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £12,5k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.

Territories currently available include: Fife, Edinburgh/Scottish Borders, Stirling, Brighton, Plymouth, Bath, Cardiff, Liverpool and Macclesfield.

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