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Not many companies actually make it to 30 years old these days, and we know that without our loyal customers the story would have been very different!
To all our lovely customers we send our heartfelt thanks, and for those of you who would like to know a little more about the members of the team who look after you at Insignia, here are some facts and figures about us.
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Insignia Ltd began in 1981 when, at the age of 19, straight out of college and wondering what do as a career, Claire Appleton accompanied her businessman father, Robert, on a working trip to Belgium.
At the time Robert Appleton was the Chairman of a church furnishing company called Vanpoulles Ltd. (www.vanpoulles.co.uk)
One of Vanpoulles’ main suppliers was (and still is all these years later) a Belgian company called Slabbinck BE (http://www.slabbinck.be) who design and manufacture sacred metal items, for instance chalices and ciborium, along with liturgical textiles such as vestments and chasubles, bishop’s mitres and the like. The craftsmen involved in this skilled and detailed work realised they could also put their skills to work creating bespoke banners and flags for clubs and companies too.
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Following this line of thought Marc Slabbinck, one of the Directors, thought that there could be other organisations who would be interested in having all kinds of bespoke products made to their own design.
Marc’s enthusiasm for the project, when he discussed it with Claire and Robert Appleton on that business trip in 1981, was infectious and the 3 of them decided to start the same sort of venture in the UK and Belgium.
Armed with enthusiasm, a phone and a manual typewriter, Claire set about researching the market. Finding out what customers wanted and searching out more and more new and reliable suppliers of quality products to expand the range. Eventually there were enough products to create a UK catalogue and once they were printed, Claire started on the envelope stuffing and stamping by hand!
Over the years the quantity of catalogues increased, and at one point grew to around 150,000 per year, so the envelope stuffing and stamping was no longer just Claire’s preserve!
The orders started to come in. Slowly at first but as Insignia’s reputation grew, so did number of orders. For many years Insignia gained its business by recommendation and via mail order catalogues. Like a lot of companies, we became aware of the need to preserve trees and ensured that the paper our brochures were printed on came from managed forests.
These days, with the planet in mind and with the rise and rise of technology, we send out far fewer catalogues though they are still available on request for those who enjoy them. .
The company has steadily grown over the past 30 years, and moved with the times as all companies must in order to thrive. The company now has a website with over 90,000 promotional products available to its customers
Insignia are proud that the majority of our customers have been with us right from the start and a large number of new ones come via referrals from other happy customers as well as via the web.
Robert Appleton continued to run Vanpoulles until he retired in 1994 and, throughout his career, always kept a keen eye on Insignia. Robert was always on hand with help advice and encouragement and in those early years Claire could not have run the business without his wisdom and his generosity in investing along with Marc Slabbinck in those early days.
In the late 80s Marc Slabbinck’ sold his shares in Insignia UK to Robert and Claire, so bringing the company under full UK ownership, though the two companies, Insignia BE (www.insignia.be) and Insignia Ltd continue their friendship and working relationship to this day.
Robert sadly passed away in 1998, but his spirit and the honest and moral way he behaved in business are still a strong influence on the way Claire runs things today. Service to the customer (and prompt payment to suppliers!) is paramount.
Marc Slabbinck continues to this day to keep a benevolent eye on Insignia BV (www.insignia.be) now very successfully run by the next generation, his son Viktor Slabbinck.
We are proud to be a long standing company with long serving members of staff (see meet the team) and loyal customers who we always do our best by. Here’s to ongoing success!
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Claire Appleton
Managing Director |
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After qualifying with a Business Studies Diploma with distinction, in 1980 I undertook a number of temping jobs in a variety of industries whilst deciding which career path to take.
I loved all the jobs I took on and simply couldn’t decide on which area to stick with. One of the temporary projects I took on was for a company of church furnishers called Vanpoulles Ltd where my father, Robert Appleton, was Chairman (nepotism anyone?!).
As a result of accompanying my father on a business trip to Belgium in 1981 the idea for a company supplying promotional merchandise was born.
30 years later I realise that in supplying promotional products I never did have to decide which industry to specialise in. With Insignia one has the joy and privilege of being involved with them all!
Our clients are companies, schools, clubs, charities, government – you name it we get to work with every sector and we are very proud of the fact that once we gain a customer they rarely go elsewhere.
I believe that is down to excellent customer service as well as our unbeatable pricing. Of course all companies say they give good customer service but we can back that up with fact. One in 3 of our new customers come to us a result of a referral I believe this is due to the quality and dedication of our team here. I am extremely proud of every one of them, take a look below and find out more about them.
Claire likes: horses, especially her Spanish horse Lucero. Sunny days and happy customers.
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Sandra Ackland
Senior Account Handler |
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Sandra may look like she is still in her teens, but she first started work at Insignia as a 17 year old back in 1987.
That means she has 24 years of experience of the promotional industry to share with you. Sandra excels in being creative, in terms of industry specific ideas that will work brilliantly for your company or project.
Sandra made an impact from day one, when she roared up to her interview in an ear splittingly loud, souped up Mini car and advised me she didn’t have long to spare! I remember asking her if she could do shorthand (anyone but us remember shorthand?) and she airily replied “No, but don’t worry, I can write very quickly”!!
Not an auspicious start some might think, but we knew she was something special and that we couldn’t let her drive off into the sunset in that little souped up Mini, so she’s been here ever since. Sandra has worked her way up from Junior Secretary to being the most experienced of our talented team of Account Handlers.
If you are looking for fresh ideas, a coordinated range or that elusive product, Sandra will find it for you. Nothing defeats her.
Sandra loves: Her wonderful daughter (Lauren), spaghetti carbonara, sporty cars, Facebook, shoes, sunshine and wine!
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Lorraine Sheehy
Senior Account Handler |
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Lorraine is a legend in the Insignia office and in the industry!
Prior to joining Insignia 12 years ago, Lorraine was working for a company that supplied office furniture. She left - they closed! What more can I say? Their loss was our gain – and yours.
A Senior Account Handler with a dozen years of solid experience for you to rely on. From the moment she arrived, Lorraine took to the industry like a duck to water. Lorraine’s clients are very loyal to her and in particular about working with her. It’s a regular occurrence when she is on holiday and her clients ring up, for them to say they would prefer to wait until Lorraine returns, than deal with any of the rest of us! We try not to take it personally, as we know it’s because they like the way Lorraine operates!
Lorraine loves: Animals (especially dogs, cats, horses and anything cute and cuddly!), brochures (not websites), Red Stripe & Carib beer, Pina Coladas and empty sandy beaches. Swimming and keeping fit (to combat all her vices!! )
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Georgette Khoury
Account Handler |
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Georgette joined us in August 2011, and is the newest member of our team. She is young and vibrant, and comes to us with 2 years retailing and customer service experience. She thrives on challenges and on reaching excellence in whatever she does. Georgette also has tremendous organisational skills and makes a point of helping and assisting people, so you will be guaranteed of excellent customer service.
Georgette likes: her weekend lie-in’s, especially as she’s a great socialiser! She enjoys going to the cinema and having a drink (or two!) with friends. Georgette also likes learning new things, travelling and the sunshine; that’s why she’s our little ray of sunshine as well!
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Tammy Poole
Marketing Manager/Web Development |
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Tammy deserves most of the credit for keeping a long established company like ours, that could have easily got stuck in old fashioned ways, bang up to date.
Insignia’s superb website, seo and social media activity are driven forward by Tammy.
Tammy has a brilliant, lively mind and loves to learn new things. Nothing fazes her and she loves a project!
Tammy joined the Insignia team in Surrey back in 2006. In 2010, Tammy announced that she and her family had decided to return to her native California, which sounded like a huge blow to team at first. However, we are absolutely delighted that she continues to work for us from the States; though what she sees in all that sunshine, when she could be in Wallington with us, we will never know?!
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Diana Waters
Marketing Administrator/Business Development & Social Media |
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Diana is the person you handles our Social Media, including Twitter and Facebook. She likes to keep you informed with her Blogs and is continually Twittering about the latest news and offers, which also feature on our Facebook pages.
Social Media is a new phenomenen to Di and is being encouraged by Insignia as a great way to raise the company profile and stay in touch with our clients. As she gets to grips with communicating to you in this format, she's looking for a wider audience to talk to! So, why not join us Facebook and Twitter! You can then stay in touch with us, and be the first to read our latest news on products, promotions and exclusive 'Web Offers'.
A lot of the look and feel of the material that clients see is down to Di’s input, and she is always interested in your feedback. So why not get in touch and let us know of any news you may have, or thoughts and views on any matters which you think will be of interest.
Diana likes: Socialising, especially over a glass of wine! Is also interested in interior design (everything has to co-ordinate, including her cat!) An entire wall in her kitchen is a blackboard (as she enjoys writing notes to everyone!) plus a disco ball, because everybody gathers in her kitchen at parties!!
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Barbara Kirby
Accounts Manager |
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When our previous Accounts Manager decided to take a well earnt early retirement and move to Spain, I thought we would never get any one as good to replace her.
Luckily, I was completely wrong and, in 2007, fate sent us our wonderful “Barb". Barb is absolutely meticulous and efficient in all aspects of her work. This means very few of you will get the opportunity to speak with her, but those of you who have done so will know how friendly and professional she is. She is our little songbird in the office – often to be heard singing along to the latest tunes from the office radio!
Barb likes: Learning; she always has her head in a book or surfing the net. Loves everything 'New Age' from astrology, angels, divination and runes to tarot and wicca! With a vast library, and just about every book imaginable on topics such as; scented candles, incense and crystals. She even has her own witchy altar where she does spells. By her own admission, she's not very good at them yet, but is great at setting light to her curtains!
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Gale
Office Administrator & Dispatch Manager |
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Before Gale arrived with us in 1996 things were, shall we say, less organised than they are now!
As well as being responsible for all the goods and post that go out to you from our Surrey office, Gale is the one we all rely on to keep us organised and prevent us from disappearing under mountains of files.
If a courier looses a parcel, Gale will find it. If an address is wrong or a name misspelt, Gale will spot it! It’s thanks to her your orders arrive on time and in good condition.
Gale likes: Travelling abroad and seeing the sights, especially the local marine life in the Maldives, or resting on a deserted, white sandy beach with a local barman keeping her topped up with Pina Colada! She also loves spending quality time with family and friends.
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Looking for a career with Insignia, please see our Career Opportunities
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