Overview
Hello I'm Stephen Haines and I am the Founder and Chairman of Carte Blanche Greetings, the company I set up more than twenty years ago.
My sincere belief is that building a business is all about people and products and Carte Blanche is proof of that. It hasn't all been easy but it has always been great fun. I like to think I have had the foresight and good fortune to have surrounded myself with some great people who have shared and pursued my vision for this fabulous company.
Today Carte Blanche is a large and successful organisation with a very strong brand and product portfolio represented across many different categories and markets globally. However what has not changed over the years is the core value of believing passionately in what we do which is at the heart of our business.
We have also been fortunate enough to have built an incredibly loyal following of Me to You fans and consumers without whom we would not have a business.
It has been hugely satisfying for me personally to watch the company grow and evolve. By continuing to listen to our consumers and customers and maintaining the passion we have for our products I am even more excited by the huge opportunities that lie ahead for Carte Blanche.
The Story So Far…
The dynamic story of Carte Blanche Greetings Ltd began back in 1987, when Stephen Haines launched his company with a portfolio of just 12 cards… and a big dream.
In the 21 years that followed, Carte Blanche has grown, with energy and passion, into one of the UK's most successful companies. Today, we have a collection of powerful brands and a product portfolio to be proud of, distributed in over 60 countries and published in 14 languages.
The Journey Continues…
The guiding principles that helped Stephen to create and develop Carte Blanche are just as relevant and evident in the company today.
We will always:
- develop and maintain the very best people
- invest in our brands and products for the long term, at a local and global level
- build long-term responsible relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers and partners
- understand what our consumer needs, and provide it
- take an innovative, creative and passionate approach to our business
- respect our history, whilst constantly challenging the way we run our business
Creativity is the heart of our business. Our people are passionate about product innovation and brand development. As we confidently extend our brands into new territories and product categories, our enthusiasm and drive is stronger than ever. Phenomenal growth has seen our turnover double over the past 4 years. It is estimated that annual retail sales are fast approaching $1 billion… and this is just the beginning.
