Recognition Express parent group announces board changes

Alice Tuffery, writer

Published at 12/11/2020, Updated on 11/11/2020 , Reading time: 1 min

Recognition Express parent group announces board changes — Photo © 6635.jpg

Recognition Express’s parent company, The Bardon Group, has made changes to its board.

Managing Director Nigel Toplis has taken the decision to step back from his role at B2B franchise Recognition Express, and instead become Non-Executive Chairman. After 18 years leading the business, he’s handing over his responsibilities to the current Operations Director, Chris Masters.

Nigel will continue to work as Managing Director for other brands in The Bardon Group’s portfolio, ComputerXplorers and Kall Kwik. And he’ll remain in charge of the strategic development in all four of the company’s franchises, including TechClean and Recognition Express. This change should give him time to develop his interests in South Africa too.

Meanwhile, Chris will be in charge of maintaining The Bardon Group’s growth plan. He’ll lead the head office team and keep an eye on Recognition Express and Techclean’s franchisees.

Nigel explained,

“I believe everyone has a ‘sell by date’ in any role. I’m not talking full retirement yet, as I feel I have many more years of leadership in me, but robust succession planning is perhaps one of the most important aspects a successful business must address. We’ve been planning my transition from MD to chairman for some time and from very early on in his career at Recognition Express it was obvious that Chris Masters possessed the aptitude to be ‘heir apparent’.

“I’m ready for a new challenge and want to spend more time [in South Africa] supporting small developing businesses and working to protect elephants and rhinos.”

Chris is looking forward to taking on more responsibility. He said,

“I’m ready for the challenges that being managing director will bring. Having spent almost my whole working life in the franchise industry and at Recognition Express, I have the insight and understanding to be able to bring new ideas and working practices to the business, whilst at the same time build on the solid foundations laid down by Nigel and his predecessor.”