Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection has awarded the Heidi Sulley Commemorative Cup to franchisees Richard & Karen Humphrey from North Devon. The announcement was made at Card Connection’s recent franchise conference held at the Forest of Arden Hotel in Birmingham.

“Each year Card Connection recognises the qualities of ‘tenacity and team spirit’ within its network,” confirms Michael Johnson, managing director, Card Connection. “This very special award is presented to individuals who have shown commitment that is ‘above and beyond’ the normal requirements associated with being a franchisee. This year Richard and Karen Humphrey have been managing an additional territory and shown an unparalleled work ethic and we were delighted to recognise that effort.

“Heidi Sulley was one of Card Connection’s business development managers, who sadly passed away ten years ago,” explains Johnson. “We created the special award in Heidi’s name, and it is an honour to add Richard and Karen’s names to the list of other exceptional franchisees who have also been recognised since 2005.”

Karen Humphrey first joined Card Connection in 2006 and became the company’s first sole female platinum franchisee. This means she managed one of Card Connection’s largest territories. She now works with husband Richard to run the franchise which extends from Hartland to Minehead in Somerset, through North Devon right through to the East side of Dorset. In the past year the couple have also helped run the Plymouth franchise area.

Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, which is a subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., one of the largest greeting card publishers in the world and has limited vacancies for franchisees that are keen to run an expanding business. Since the franchise network in the UK is complete, the available opportunities 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 £7k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.