Henries Winners 2021_GF_outlined.qxp_Layout 1 03/11/2021 10:42 Page 66
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In her speech on the night, PG’s Jakki Brown said… “The Honorary Achievement Award is a very special accolade. In many ways tonight’s award is particularly poignant, as we recognise someone who has given their all to this industry for over four decades, with their passion, compassion and fortitude never faltering, despite the tsunami of challenges the last 20 months have thrown at them. Over the last 40 years, their love and understanding of the industry, coupled with an innate entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity that knows no bounds has seen them excel both on a business and personal front. Their hardworking hands on approach, matched with a strong ethical stance and appreciation of relationships has seen them earn the respect of their competitors, suppliers and team mates alike. They started their career, as many have, as a humble sales representative for a leading greeting card publisher, but that plucky 20 something had retail in their blood, having earned their spurs as a kid in the family newsagents business. So, in the 1980s, the embryonic days for specialist card shops, they left behind the security of the corporate world to become a retailer. They started with one shop, but before long that had grown to seven, attracting the attention of serious venture capitalists who not only acquired the business, but recognised the importance of securing our winner’s undoubted talents to fulfil the dream of building a specialist multiple chain. They were indeed very successful, so much so that having grown it to 200+ shops in a remarkably short space of time, the VC’s opted for a profitable early exit, much to the disappointment of our award recipient. A forced sojourn robbed the industry of this individual’s undoubted talents for seven years, but having bided his time on the periphery, he bounced back in with a vengeance. In 2005, joining forces with a former colleague, the first of a new breed of greeting card shops opened its doors in the East Midlands, with the ensuing 16 years, through organic growth and acquisition seeing this expand to almost 180 shops, the length and breadth of the UK, with plenty more in the pipeline. Yes, they have been successful, but it is the manner in which they command themselves which sets our award winner apart. While there is no denying they are a canny negotiator, it is the fairness, loyalty and camaraderie that shines through. They have another talent, being the king of industry gossip. Well tonight, they’re the one we’re all talking about, in a very good way. I have had the great fortune to know this person for 30 years and count him as a friend. So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that the Honorary Achievement Award 2021 goes to Paul Taylor, co-founder and managing director of Cardzone.”
Responding the day after the event, Paul said: “I was completely overwhelmed by the award…very humbled and in shock when I realised it was me. In terms of what I would have spoken about in my speech, if I had been for-warned it would have gone something like this… The industry has gone through incredible challenges since the pandemic hit. Being classed as a ‘non-essential’ retailer and told we couldn’t trade was a massive hit to our business. However, the resilience of the consumer and the industry. once we could open, has been incredible. We may not be hitting 2019 numbers and probably never will, but I’m so encouraged how the sector has bounced back. My Henries’ award is mainly down to the wonderful management team we have at Cardzone, but all of our 1,000+ colleagues. I realise I’m known as a bit of a gossip, but I had no idea about this wonderful accolade!” 60
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Below: Joanne Davis, managing director of UK Envelope Centre, the sponsor of this award, presented the trophy to a stunned, but delighted Paul Taylor, md of Cardzone.
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Paul Taylor Cardzone