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.

Jo Astles
Creative Manager

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

Having worked her way up from junior designer she has gained valuable experience of the greeting card industry from design to production.

Jo joined OPC in September 2005 after studying graphic design at university.
 

Keith Taylor
Financial Controller

Having worked in both the corporate environments and a number of smaller enterprises within a variety of industries, Keith brings to OPC a considerable range of business experience from retail and service to travel and specialised insurance.

Prior to qualifying as a Chartered Management Accountant and embarking on a commercial career, Keith was a serving British Army Officer. He joined OPC in the position of Financial Controller in May 2016 assuming full responsibility for all financial functions within the company.

Dawn Hammond
Regional Business Development Manager

Dawn joins OPC following a long and varied career in Sales, having worked for blue chip companies such as Mars, Coca Cola Schweppes and Proctor and Gamble.

In 2004 she joined Carlton Cards who later merged with Gibson Hanson Graphics to become U.K.Greetings, where she managed both Merchandising and Sales Teams in Multi National, National and Independent Accounts. 

Dawn also has experience of running a small successful business along with her daughter and understands the need to provide excellent customer service with a reliable quality product.

She is passionate about the card industry and is skilled in training, coaching and team building to achieve growth across all areas.