Recognising long-serving staff ‘a real privilege’ at publisher’s annual event
Staying with a company more than a few years is noteworthy these days – but Hallmark has an annual long-service awards ceremony with staffing notching up 285 years between them at the latest event.
Nine staff members were honoured a few days ago for serving 25, 30, 35, and 40 years with the Bradford-based publisher, with the company’s social media revealing: “We enjoyed a well-earned trip down memory lane and heard heartfelt stories from these special Hallmarkers and their guests.”
The group included Gail McMullen, with four decades at the company; Rose Duffy, Graeme Francis, and Sandra Williams have each served for 35 years; it’s 30 years for Steven Boyes, and Diane Fishwick; and the baby of the bunch is Mark Boyden, having clocked up a mere quarter century term. Two other staff members marked 25 and 30 years’ service.
“Hallmark are very proud to be able to host the long-service awards every year,” Graeme Karavis, group md for UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, told PG Buzz.
“To work with such dedicated and passionate people is a real privilege. It’s quite rare to have such extensive experience and length of service within a company, it’s a real testament to how great it is to work at Hallmark.”
Having begun his tenure at Valentine’s Of Dundee, Graeme Francis said: “Hallmark has been a great place to work over 35 years, with great opportunities to develop my career across different roles, and travel across the UK/ROI and USA.
“If I had to pick a favourite all-time Hallmark range, it would be Country Companions. Wonderful artwork telling stories about a group of wonderfully-drawn characters, there was something quintessentially British and of the moment about it.”
Originally working with independent accounts in and around London, he stayed in the independent sales division following the business restructure which brought all the companies and brands together under the Hallmark name.
In 2001 he changed roles to work on the re-launch of Hallmark Gold Crown in the UK and Ireland, explaining: “I ended up remaining as part of the Gold Crown Team for 15 years, achieving so much in this time, growing the programme and membership across the UK and ROI and working with some wonderful independent customers.”
He then continued to manage a consolidated Gold Crown programme, while also taking on corporate store and retail development responsibilities then, in 2020, moved to the M&S Team where he is currently a store trading manager.
Graeme added: “The business has gone through many changes in my time and that really has kept everything fresh for me over the years, change can open doors and new opportunities for colleagues.
“It sounds like a cliché, but the people I have worked with here over the years have been amazing, many remain good friends and really are the heart of the Hallmark business.”
