Simon Warren-Gash
Chairman

After a successful career in the commercial banking sector, Simon became involved in franchising in 1989. Shortly thereafter Simon saw the opportunity to create a high quality greeting card franchise and founded The Original Poster Company in February 1991. Simon’s initial investing partner/director remains as a non-executive member of the Company’s Board of Directors to this day.

Following many years as Managing Director of the Company, Simon has now handed over day to day control of the business and continues to work full time on the business as Company Chairman.

Mark Thompson
Managing Director

Mark entered the greeting card industry in 1989 joining Carte Blanche Greetings. During his seven years there he gained a good grounding in many aspects from display planning, merchandising, sales and sales management. He left to join Britannia Products who were later bought by Hallmark Cards, continuing in sales team management and eventually moved into National Accounts within the merged group.

In 2004, Mark joined OPC as their National Accounts Manager and soon involved himself in many aspects of the business, whilst learning about the franchising industry. In 2007 Mark was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director and became Managing Director in 2008.

To this day, the growth potential of the OPC franchise and greeting card brands remain at the heart of Mark’s drive and ambition for the business.

Martin Parks
Art Director

Martin heads up our creative team developing successful, innovative, new product.

He has 21 years experience as a graphic designer and art director, 14 of those specialising in greeting card design and production. Martin worked in advertising and corporate identity design, before moving to the Greeting Card industry.

He joined OPC in April 2002 after 5 years as Studio Manager with Paper Rose, a leading UK greeting card publisher, and became a Director and shareholder in October 2004.

Dean Panyandee
Financial Controller

Dean is a qualified accountant who has 18 years of experience producing accounts for a wide range of industries. His previous role was in a software company that modelled the flow of air and liquids. Typical industries that use this type of software include motor, aerospace and civil engineering.

Dean joined OPC as a Financial Controller in February 2012 and is responsible for all accounts activities within the company.

Richard Cage
International Sales Manager

Having worked in a Sales & Marketing environment for his entire career, Richard brings a wealth of experience in Sales Management, Training and Systems Architecture.

His experience is gained from a variety of markets including running his own Sales and Marketing Company, working for blue chip FMCG organisations such as Whitbread Take Home PLC and the past six years in franchising with OPC.

Richard works with our International Master Franchisees making sure they have the skills and tools to be effective in their own markets. He understands OPC and can always translate his experience into positive, pro-active help.

Kim Richardson
National Accounts Manager

Kim has worked in the greeting card industry for many years, firstly Hallmark Cards for 18 years, and then Gemma International, (children's licensed products), for 13 years.

During that time she looked after many different national accounts – high street multiples, toy shops, department stores and supermarkets. At Gemma, she also managed the National Accounts and Merchandising departments.

Since joining OPC in 2008, Kim has dealt with various account types such as convenience stores, garden centres, buying and symbol groups, plus running tradeshows. She enjoys the diversity of being part of a franchise company and working alongside franchisees developing our mutual business.

Kerry Sherriff
Operations Manager

A wealth of experience in IT, administration and office management across a variety of industrial sectors has proven to be invaluable in Kerry's role since joining OPC in 2003.

Her primary responsibility is administering OPC's in-house IT network including the on-line bespoke extranet which provides on-line ordering, reporting and communication facilities for the international and UK/Irish franchise network. The extranet also allows employees to perform various business critical operations concerning production, image rights management, sales leads and real-time stock management.

Kerry also manages the company's own and international branded Master websites as well as content manages all on-line franchise resale advertising.

She also acts as liaison with the company's warehousing and distribution partner on behalf of the local and international network.

Scott Gibson
Business Development Manager
North Region

Scott joins OPC with a sales career in the greeting card industry going back to 1992 when he joined Gibson Greetings Int Ltd.

The majority of his time within the industry has been spent with UK Greetings (Gibson, Carlton and Card Connection), and has also worked for The Great British Card Co and Paper Island in both sales and sales management roles.

Scott has recently ran a successful sales agency on a self employed basis, as the main agent for WishingWell Studios, Handcrafted Card Co and Word ’n’ Wishes. He had a short spell out of the industry where he trained as a PC for Kent Police neighbourhood units.

He has a real passion for greeting cards, developing franchisees business and maximising the potential from every customer. He believes creating a profitable and enjoyable environment will help us stay motivated, and drive our business forward.

Colin Harris
Business Development Manager
South Region

Dawn Hammond
Business Development Manager
Central Region