Seminars & Speakers

Nigel Toplis joined Recognition Express in January 2003 with a driving ambition to establish the image and recognition marketplace in the UK. Recognition Express is a successful franchise organisation of over 30 years standing, and Europe’s largest supplier of corporate recognition products, from signs and name badges to promotional products, employee awards, business gifts and full colour poster printing. Recognition Express was also voted the British Franchise Associations Franchise of the Year in 2003. Before joining the company, Nigel spent 8½ years with Kall Kwik (latterly as Managing Director) and initiated and drove the merger of the two largest quick print franchises Prontaprint and Kall Kwik to form On Demand Communications Ltd. The merger was the first of its kind in the UK. Prior to On Demand, Nigel had 12 years at Allied Domecq firstly in the brewery and restaurant divisions, then at corporate head office. He also spent time at Ladbrokes’ telephone services subsidiary as marketing controller. In 2006 Nigel and Recognition Express introduced a second franchise to the UK in the shape of ComputerXplorers under a master licence agreement from the US. ComputerXplorers is a business to business franchise targeted at the education market providing ICT programmes to 3-13 year olds through after school clubs, nurseries, weekend clubs and summer camps The force behind Nigel’s successes comes from a desire to be seen as the ‘best in his business’, whatever that business is, and he believes that hard work and integrity are the foundation stones of success. In 2006 Nigel was elected to Chairman of the bfa (British Franchise Association) and served two years in the post The bfa is seen as a very effective and successful trade body both as guardians of ethical franchising in the UK and promoters of this business concept Nigel has been forthright in his views on franchising including his promotion of an Institute of Franchising, on creating Ambassadors to work with Regional Development Agencies to promote franchising, on looking at ways to further involve franchisees and on closer working relationships with both government and academia In 2007 Nigel was made an honorary Fellow on Lancaster Business School for his work with them on their Franchise Elective With over 15 years experience in franchising Nigel feels this area is definitely his niche – he delivers seminars and lectures on the fundamentals of franchising and has written 5 business books on subjects as far ranging as franchising, to direct mail - in his ’60 minute guide’ series. When he has time to unwind, Nigel plays the piano – anything from Tchaikovsky to Elton John – whilst drinking fine wine and smoking an Havana cigar.