BUSINESS / NEWS 8 www.signlink.co.uk signlink signlink signlinkmagazine Issue 255 - October / November 2024 FASTSIGNS UK reflects on recent appointments and centre openings Signage franchise, FASTSIGNS UK, has reported a successful first half of the year with a “flurry” of appointments and centre openings across the UK. In March, the franchise entered Kent for the first time with the opening of FASTSIGNS Tunbridge Wells. Franchisee Nik Mather brought a background in hospitality to the role and has been servicing businesses in the local area with signage, graphic design, installations, and project management. The brand also expanded into the East Midlands with the opening of its second Leicestershire-based franchise, FASTSIGNS Leicester North. Yaser Khan is the franchisee and centre manager and brings experience as a brand designer at well-known hospitality brands. Following the opening of two new centres, FASTSIGNS’ franchise network is now up to 23 centres across the UK. There have also been a number of appointments across the centres including the appointment of 23-year-old sign-maker Athena Kolyos and Michele Hendry as office manager at FASTSIGNS Crawley, bolstering the company’s growing female-led team. FASTSIGNS Portsmouth appointed a new internal sales lead, Liam McCutcheon, and FASTSIGNS Sheffield welcomed local entrepreneur, Martin Slater, to the centre as its new owner. Elsewhere, Anil Shani took over the reins at FASTSIGNS Milton Keynes. Internally, Rebecca Parks has been promoted from executive assistant to operations manager and Emily Healthcote to senior business consultant. Both are based at FASTSIGNS UK’s Staffordshire HQ. John Davies, managing director of FASTSIGNS UK, comments: “We remain focused on creating a culture of collaboration, built on expertise, which is why we invest heavily in training and development for all our team members.” PONGS and CMYUK renew their partnership The exclusive UK partnership between PONGS and CMYUK has been renewed which the companies say marks a significant advancement in their shared strategy to deliver “exceptional products and services to customers”. As part of this renewed agreement, CMYUK will now be the sole distributor of PONGS in the UK. According to the companies, a key highlight of the partnership is PONGS’ “unwavering commitment to sustainability”, with the manufacturer developing eco-friendly textiles that meet rigorous environmental requirements, significantly reducing their ecological footprint. Bernd-Peter Lautenbach, chief executive officer of PONGS, adds: “By recommitting to our exclusive distribution agreement with CMYUK, we eliminate any market confusion.” [L to R] Robin East, group chief commercial officer of CMYUK and Bernd-Peter Lautenbach, chief executive officer of PONGS By Carys Evans Global appointed for large UK contract Media and entertainment group, Global, has won an advertising contract for Network Rail’s roadside outdoor estate, a vast portfolio with advertising sites in city locations around the UK. Network Rail’s estate is considered the largest roadside contract in the UK with Global awarded exclusive rights to manage the advertising for over 1,400 sites. The sites include digital out-of-home (DOOH) billboards across cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Leeds. Global is one of the largest outdoor media owners in UK with over 250,000 sites. Its extensive portfolio is said to reach 95% of the UK population and includes 12 major airports, the London Underground, and 98% of the UK’s bus fleet. Chris Forrester, director of commercial for outdoor at Global, explains: “We are delighted to have won the contract and look forward to working with Network Rail for another seven years.” Hamish Kiernan, commercial director at Network Rail, adds: “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Global for a further seven years. We are looking forward to seeing the ambitious investment plans come to fruition, creating some of the most premium and iconic digital screens across the country.” Describing the details of the contract further, Kiernan explains: “Any advertising revenue generated across our portfolio is invested back into the railway, which means this partnership will not only deliver engaging content to millions but will also benefit our customers through rail reinvestment.” RMC Digital Print acquires Modular Sign System division Large-format trade printer, RMC Digital Print, has purchased the Modular Sign System (MSS) division of Workshop2 Limited. Workshop2 Limited designs and markets signage and display products, and this strategic acquisition will be a permanent cessation of the HB Modular Sign System (MSS) marketing, sales manufacturing, and supply by Workshop2 Limited. This includes the stock of material, machinery, and the right to use and market the MSS product under the brand name ‘HB Modular Sign System’. According to RMC Digital Print, the transition is expected to be seamless with operations continuing under the RMC Digital Print brand. The company has assured customers that they can expect the same level of service and quality. By Jonathan Pert RMC Digital Print has acquired the Modular Sign System division of Workshop2 Limited FASTSIGNS Crawley has expanded its growing female-led team with the appointment of a signmaker and an office manager Global is one of the largest outdoor media owners in the UK with over 250,000 sites
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