Martin Horner (pictured above right), Carte Blanche Greetings’ long-time head of sales has put the ‘wheels in motion’ to leave the company in July to fulfil his long-time dream of starting his own bicycle maintenance business. Meanwhile, as of today (May 11) industry stalwart, Bill Greeno (the well-known former sales director of Quitting Hollywood and Paperlink) is all geared up for his new part-time consultancy position with the company to support Carte Blanche’s ceo, Alister Marchant with the sales channels as well as strategically.
Martin, who has been part of the CBG team for the last nine years, praises the progressive culture at Carte Blanche in enabling him to turn his “personal dream into a reality” which sees him embarking on a new chapter in his life. “Carte Blanche has helped give me the drive to become the best version of myself, supporting me to follow my dreams and be able to accomplish something that in the past might simply have been a passing fantasy,” Martin commented. “The culture at CBG encourages us all to be curious and creative, something that ensures the company can always adapt to change and thrive through even the most challenging of times.”
Paying tribute, Alister Marchant, ceo commented: “We cannot thank Martin enough for his contribution to our business over the past nine years and although we are sad to see him go, we are thrilled that he is leaving to do something he is passionate about.”
All functional aspects of Martin’s role are be covered by the existing Carte Blanche team while Bill Greeno has joined the company as a consultant with a focus on national accounts, combining this with his other work responsibilities, which includes working with Abacus Cards as a consultant a couple of days a week. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/bills-back-hes-joined-the-abacus-cardsclare-maddicott-team-as-a-consultant/)
“Having known Bill for a number of years, being able to secure him on a flexible basis was an opportunity too good to miss,” comments Alistair. “A true industry doyen, Bill will provide some wonderful expertise and a fresh pair of eyes to help the business grow and achieve our strategic objectives.”
As to what attracted him to the CBG role, Bill told PG Buzz: “While I haven’t got a blue nose yet, it is hard to think of any other brand in our industry which is as strong as Me to You, as evidenced by all the licensing activity as well as Carte Blanche’s own products. And added to this, of course, are all the other brands in the portfolio from Hotchpotch to Wishing Well as well as the new humour collections. I am delighted to be working with Alister and the rest of the team.”
Full of fun as well as experience, in response to whether he thinks his time with CBG will make him cuter, Bill quips: “More than happy to get cuter, but as long as it doesn’t make me ‘Tatty-er’ we’ll be fine!” making reference to Tatty Teddy, CBG’s leading cute character.
Top: Bill Greeno (left) and Martin Horner.
