The winners of The Henries 2023 greeting card industry awards were announced last night, 5 October, at a fabulous awards event, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, hosted by comedian and improvisation doyenne Pippa Evans.
The industry’s big ‘Oscars of the greeting card sector’ event, now in its 28th year, took on a colourful upbeat Mardi Gras carnival theme this year and was attended by 500 members of the greeting card community who shared in the joy as the publishers of the UK’s most innovative greeting card ranges and suppliers who had gone the extra mile on service made their way to the stage to be crowned as winners.
Guests arrived to the welcoming sounds of The Steel Panthers who also played their carnival beats during a sumptuous dinner, while the after-party fun was in full flow with a performance by drag queen Ruby Violet (thanks to Ohh Deer) joining Freight Train on the dancefloor and extra sparkle from a glitter station, thanks to House of Cards’ Miles Robinson and Nigel Williamson.
Organised by Progressive Greetings, The Henries are the ultimate accolades in the greeting card industry. Opening the event, director of Max Publishing Warren Lomax said: “This year’s Mardi Gras carnival theme is perfect for The Henries with the UK greeting card industry abundant with colour, vibrancy and inspiration. You only have to see this year’s finalists to realise what a wondrous extravaganza of creativity UK greeting card publishers bring to the party.”
As a rousing finale, the Honorary Achievement Award was presented to David Greaves, co-owner of Emotional Rescue.
Honouring David, Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing told the audience that his is “a proper rags to riches story, but with a brain the size of a planet, an uncannily astute business nous, commercial integrity bar none, ambition with a conscience and an attention to detail in everything they do, they have helped change the shape of our industry.’
The Henries Awards 2023 winners are…
The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist
Stephanie Davies
Award sponsored by Postmark
Best Diversity and Inclusion Range
Two Finger Salute from Heyyy Cards
Award sponsored by Antalis
Best Humorous Range
Holy Flaps from Redback Cards
Award sponsored by Herbert Walkers Printers
Best Licensed Card Range
Emma Bridgewater from Woodmansterne Publications
Award sponsored by Skeet Print
Best Christmas Counter Range
Christmas Collection from Louise Mulgrew
Award sponsored by Windles Group
Best Christmas Box or Pack
Christmas Luxury Collection from Ling Design
Award sponsored by Gould Paper Sales UK
Best Cute Range
Bear from The Art File
Award sponsored by Alpha Colour Printers
Best Contemporary Words and Sentiments Range
Emosh from Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)
Award sponsored by Card Factory
Best Traditional Words and Sentiments Range
Female Relations from UK Greetings
Award sponsored by Skylight Media
Best Art Range
Art Range from Ohh Deer
Award sponsored by Graphite Creative
Best Photographic Range
A Daily Cloud from Brainbox Candy
Award sponsored by Scribbler and FujiFilm
Best Children’s Range
Fantabulous from Raspberry Blossom
Award sponsored by Loxleys
Best Contemporary Trend Range
Hunky Dory from Paper Salad
Award sponsored by The Imaging Centre
Best 3D, Handmade or Hand-finished Range
Miniature World from Alljoy Design
Award sponsored by EBB Board
Best Male Range
I’mPressed from Heyyy Cards
Award sponsored by Progressive Greetings Live
Best Relations and/or Occasions Range
Stargazing from Five Dollar Shake
Award sponsored by Fedrigoni UK
Best Spring Seasons Range
Bloom Seedstick Mother’s Day from Stormy Knight
Award sponsored by G.F Smith
Best Wholesale Range
Pixels from Kingfisher Cards
Award sponsored by LB Warehousing
Best Giftwrappings Range
Louise Mulgrew from Glick Gift Packaging
Award sponsored by Spring Fair/Autumn Fair
The Henry Cole Classic Award
Photocaptions from Cath Tate Cards
Award sponsored by The Sherwood Group
Best Service to the Independent Retailer – Bronze Winner
Dandelion Stationery
Award sponsored by Cardgains
Best Service to the Independent Retailer – Silver Winner
Noel Tatt
Award sponsored by Cardgains
Best Service to the Independent Retailer – Gold Winner
IC&G
Award sponsored by Cardgains
Honorary Achievement Award
David Greaves
Award sponsored by UK Envelope Centre
