Outstanding Achievement for Hannah Dale and Rosie Made A Thing scores hat trick
Greetings publishers proved their versatility as their ingenuity and creativity earned the top trophies at The Gift Awards with Rosie Made A Thing being the Judges’ Choice while Hannah Dale was crowned with the Outstanding Achievement title.
Last night’s glittering event at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel, which unite the Greats gift retailer and Gift Of The Year awards, heard how brilliant academic Hannah, who earned a double first from both Oxford and Cambridge, wasn’t meant to be in either greetings or gifts.
But, when the shine came off the banking world, she put her arty side into play and started Wrendale Designs at her kitchen table on husband Jack’s family farm in Lincolnshire and, working together, they have built the business from a few card designs in 2012 to a £15million annual turnover spanning greetings and all manner of gifts and homewares along with a Queen’s Award and the King’s Award received just last week, both for achievements in international trade.
Having already collected the Best Pet Gift Product Or Range trophy, Hannah was called up for the Outstanding Achievement award and, as someone who always likes to be prepared, admitted: “Having to stand up here in front of all these people, not knowing what I’m going to say is pretty much my equivalent of those awful nightmares where you turn up at school on the first day with no clothes on – and I probably shouldn’t have said that!
“In all seriousness, we have so many people to thank for this award, and many of them are in this room tonight. And I’m also really sad that Jack’s not here to celebrate with me as, true to our career, and probably our marriage as well, as always, he’s behind the scenes doing a lot of hard work, and I’m out here taking the credit for it.
“But this is an incredible industry. I feel so lucky to be supported by so many people and part of this wonderful, wonderful industry that we have. So, thank you very much, I’m totally overwhelmed – I can’t believe it.”
Celebrating at the party last night, 16 May, with Hannah was Miles Robinson, co-owner of House of Cards which took on Wrendale Designs at its first trade show, PG Live in 2012: “I’m trying to find the words as I’m in awe of what Hannah has achieved in what feels like five minutes. To have done what she has done from 12 cards in 2012 to dealing with 47 countries in 2024, it’s beyond words.
“And what it’s done for our business to be partnered with the Wrendale brand is unbelievable, engaging with our customers who engage with the brand is amazing.”
Meanwhile Rosie Harrison, founder and creative behind humour brand Rosie Made A Thing, was all set to party with her new Choccy Cards having won both the Best Card & Wrap Product Or Range and overall Judges’ Choice, while her Bags Of Fun tote bags earned the Best Gift Under £15 title.
Laughing that she couldn’t think of anything amusing to say, Rosie told PG Buzz: “We can’t believe it, and getting the Judges’ Choice award is a real bonus. It’s the first time we’ve entered and we’ve loved it, it’s been really good. Now we’re off to have fun – the night has only just begun!”
Other publishers picking up GOTY trophies from organiser The Giftware Association included Little Dog Laughed, Vent For Change.
Hosted by comedian Andrew Ryan, the awards were attended by over 400 guests, spanning gift and greeting retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, reps and agents, who shared in the joy as the delighted winners made their way to the stage to collect their trophies.
The full list of GOTY winners and retailers taking home Greats Awards trophies from Max Publishing, owners of Progressive Gifts & Home and GiftsandHome.net, can be found here.
