Recognition Business Comes to Alton

A desire for work-life balance and 'going it alone' has prompted local businessman Adrian Simpson to change his career path and launch Recognition Express Alton, in Hampshire.

Recognition Express is a leading franchise organisation, specialising in corporate recognition goods such as name badges, branded promotional products, business gifts and signs.

Following a career in IT, Adrian opted to run his own business and make the decisions to control his destiny. A franchise suited his need for freedom while also providing a supportive framework.

'I was looking for a challenge and realised running a franchise was the perfect solution,' explained Adrian. 'I researched a number of operations and Recognition Express appealed to me. It's a successful organisation run by professional people yet manages to retain the feeling of being part of a community.'

Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express, commented: 'Opening Recognition Express Alton is a sound decision for Adrian as his enthusiasm complements our ethos. His determination to do a good job, combined with his experience as a project manager gives me every confidence in his ability to run Recognition Express Alton successfully.'

Adrian has lived in the area for nine years and is an avid Chelsea fan and season ticket holder. He also enjoys the occasional round of golf and loves to travel.

Recognition Express was established in the UK in 1979 and is now the European market leader in corporate recognition products. It is a franchise organisation with a network of 46 franchisees operating across the UK and five master franchisees across Europe. All franchisees are profitable and network turnover has grown year on year every year. Recognition Express is the UK's leading franchise specialising in badge manufacture, signs, business gifts, plaques, awards and promotional products. In 2003 it was awarded the British Franchise Association Franchisor of the Year, an accolade that recognises the growth and service the company has provided over the last 25 years.