A former refugee volunteer, has joined business gifts and promotional merchandise specialists, Pellacraft as an account executive.

Tai’ Moor Anwar has spent the last year travelling between the UK, France and Greece leading a team of first aiders and doing all of the web and media related work for a charity which he co-founded called Refugee Crisis Foundation. The charity focuses on delivering first aid, medical and dental care for refugees in crisis.

Tai’, who has a strong background in project management grew up in London and now lives in Mansfield.

In his new role at Pellacraft, Tai’ will be helping to increase sales by developing new, dormant and existing customer accounts. Tai’s appointment will further expand Pellacraft’s account management team and enable the company to place even more emphasis on offering a first class customer experience.

Commenting on his new role, Tai’ said, “Pellacraft is a 35 year old family business, but adopts a very young, modern approach. Their ethical values also appealed to me, as I saw how much the company is committed to helping in the community, raising money and supporting many charities such as the homeless charity Framework. I could immediately see that their culture would enable me to flourish and learn new skills.”

In his spare time Tai’ plays the piano, guitar and violin. He has been married for four years and has two sons with another on the way. He considers this
poetic justice as he grew up with three sisters and now he’ll have three sons.

In August, Tai’ plans to run the Mansfield 10k race which is supporting Reach, a registered charity that supports over 200 people with learning disabilities in Nottinghamshire.

A continued rise in new enquiries has led to the appointment of Natalie Kettle as an account co-ordinator with business gifts and promotional merchandise specialists Pellacraft.

Working as part of the sales team, Natalie will be liaising with customers and suppliers in order to fast track quotes and convert enquiries in to sales. Natalie, who lives in Mansfield, has a degree and NVQ in customer services and will be responsible for increasing sales from existing and new customers. She has previously worked in recruitment and also for a medical supplies company as a national account co-ordinator.

Commenting on her new role Natalie said, “I wanted a new challenge and to build my career in a growing and exciting business. Pellacraft ticked all the boxes as a company and the role is exactly what I had been looking for.”

Natalie, who is newly engaged, has an 8-year-old stepson and enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as watching football. She has recently taken up skiing and in 2014 she ran the Great North Run for Tommy’s Charity, which was also the much-publicised year that the millionth runner crossed the finishing line. Tommy’s funds research into premature birth, still birth, and miscarriages.

The eggs will be handed out to service users of The Sherwood Street Centre, which offers emergency accommodation in Mansfield for people who have either been sleeping rough or at immediate risk of doing so.

Framework is Pellacraft’s nominated charity and it has raised more than £5,000 over the last two years through a variety of fundraising initiatives. This is the second time the company has donated Easter Eggs.

Commenting, Director Nicola Pella said, “Framework supports homeless and vulnerable people in our community and we didn’t want the people they support to miss out on Easter. She continued, “Although it’s a small gesture of chocolate, we know from donating eggs last year how much it’s appreciated. We all have it in us to help another person, this is a simple way that we hope will make a difference to people who can often feel few others care.”

As well as providing a bed for the night, The Sherwood Street Centre provides a solid and supported base from which homeless people can begin their recovery towards independence with dignity and security, and plan for the rest of their lives.

Commenting from Framework, Louise Darby (Fundraising Manager) said, “Simple acts like the donation of Easter Eggs by Pellacraft are really appreciated and demonstrate that the community does care about marginalized people. We know that homeless and vulnerable people have to overcome many challenges, and the feeling of being ‘outside’ of society can be one of these, outreach activity like this can help to bridge that gap.”

Steve and Rosemary Pella started Pellacraft from their Annesley home in 1981 when they used to craft ornamental pieces out of coal. Steve was then asked if he could get some pens printed with the logo of one of his clients and the business as it is known today was launched.

Pellacraft now employs 22 staff based at its offices in Mansfield and has produced promotional merchandise, business gifts and mementos for special occasions for many high profile clients that include; Unite the Union, the Labour Party, British Gas, Aggregate Industries and E-on.

Steve, 63, who now lives in Sutton, said “We have never been able to say no to anybody – it’s our speciality,” he said. “When the phone rings it could be a company wanting 1,000 bottles of wine or someone wanting 10,000 balloons. Our customer service charter means we will always try to please and deliver our promises.”

Pellacraft is a second generation family business, with Steve and Rosemary’s daughters Samantha and Nicola both now in charge of the day to day running of the business which is going from strength to strength with turnover last year of around £3 million.

Gloria was given a tour of the company’s office and workshop and met the staff to find out how the business ticks.

Commenting, she said: “It was fantastic to visit Pellacraft, a family business that is flourishing thanks to the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of Steve, Rosemary and their daughters. “They have built up a great business that is providing jobs in the local community and I wish them all the best as they continue to grow and prosper.”

Gloria De Piero was elected to serve Ashfield at the 2010 General Election. Before being elected as an MP aged 37, Gloria was GMTV’s Political Editor. She has previously worked as a journalist on the Politics Show at the BBC. Gloria graduated from the University of Westminster with a first class honours degree in Social Sciences and completed an MSc at the University of London.

Luke has a BA Hons in Graphic Design and lives in Retford. He previously designed signage and vehicle livery for a sign making company and prior to that worked as a graphic designer creating artwork for projects that included football club merchandise, scooter and skateboard designs, product packaging and advertisements for print and web.

Commenting, Luke said, “I am really excited about joining Pellacraft as I feel it is a good place for me to put my skills and experience to use whilst also expanding and improving upon my knowledge and skill set within a strong team.”

Sam Pella, Director of Pellacraft added, “We offer a diverse range of promotional products and like to be able to meet all sorts of quirky requests when a company wants to have its logo on promotional merchandise. Luke’s previous design experience is exactly the kind of varied design expertise we were looking for.”

In his spare time Luke’s enjoys working on his own personal design projects, fitness, travelling and experiencing new things, as well as photography and watching films.

The ability to work for a company that places people ahead of profits has convinced former Nottingham Trent University graduate Leigh Murcott to join Mansfield based business gifts and promotional goods supplier Pellacraft.

Leigh has a 2:1 degree in graphic design and, prior to joining Pellacraft, worked in the marketing department of a local sports goods retailer developing product packaging, garment graphics, store POS, shop window displays and brand campaigns for the company and other leading sportswear brands.

Commenting on his new role Leigh said, “I have a real thirst to learn new things and I am excited to learn about the in’s and out’s of the promotional merchandise business.  Working at Pellacraft also allows me to focus purely on graphic design, which is my real passion. I was also seeking a new challenge and wanted to feel part of a great working environment that puts people first, before profits.”

Leigh is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and lives in Shirebrook. He is married with a son called Lucas who is named after Liverpool player Lucas Leiva. He also enjoys playing computer games and is planning to do a gaming marathon in aid of the charity Extra Life which unites thousands of players around the world in a 24 hour gaming event to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $14 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to support healthy and safe gaming for kids.

A Mansfield company has thrown its weight behind a campaign to ensure homeless people are not forgotten this Christmas.

Business gifts and promotional merchandise suppliers Pellacraft are supporting homeless charity Framework by contributing to its “Home for Christmas” fundraising appeal – set up to turn £10 donations into Christmas gifts, meals and new opportunities for its residents.

Pellacraft, based in Hermitage Way, has become one of the first businesses to lend its support to the campaign, contributing an incredible £1,500. This donation means the company will be helping over 150 homeless people on Christmas Day.

Pellacraft has named Framework as its official charity in 2016 and hopes to contribute further to the £5,000 the company has raised from many initiatives held throughout 2015. These included taking part in the charity’s “Runga Run” in August, and donating to Framework instead of sending customers Christmas gifts. The company also donated Easter Eggs to residents earlier in the year.

Pellacraft Director, Sam Pella, said: “The ‘Home for Christmas’ appeal is a great opportunity for businesses like ours to support homeless people. We really like the idea that we can bring a smile to a Framework resident this Christmas and help homeless people in the New Year.”

Jessica Powell, Fundraising Assistant from Framework added, “In the last 12 months Framework has helped more than 11,000 people towards a place of stability and a place that many of the people we support can call ‘home’. All of those people have different reasons for needing our help, but we know that many of them will experience similar emotions this Christmas. The Home for Christmas appeal is our way of ensuring help and support we receive through the work and donation we receive from companies like Pellacraft is invaluable.”

If you would like to donate, please visit the appeals section of the framework website www.frameworkha.org/home4christmas

Family owned promotional merchandise and business gifts provider Pellacraft has appointed Clive Martin as a web developer.

The appointment follows an increase in demand from clients requiring micro websites and a decision to use Magento as a web development platform. Pellacraft has a very loyal customer base of local companies and trade associations that have regional branch networks across the UK. As well as supplying promotional gifts, Pellacraft has built and maintained websites for a number of membership organisations such as GMB and TUC. The regional micro sites are used by local members to access and share news and information.

Clive is married and lives in Rainworth. He joins Pellacraft from a local computer repair and retail store and has previously worked in call centres providing phone and email support. In his new role Clive will be providing updates, support and provide training customers on how to use their new website.

In his spare time Clive enjoys foreign travel, reading and playing computer games or watching TV shows.

Marketing assistant Rebecca Coles and former drama and children’s TV graphic designer Liam Morgan have joined promotional merchandise and business gifts supplier Pellacraft.

They are the fourth new recruits to join this expanding family firm since the beginning of September. The appointments follow an increase in orders and a desire to expand the business further across the East Midlands and nationally.

Rebecca, who lives in Edwalton, started her career in graphic design and has a BA Hons Degree in Graphic Design, from Derby University. She joins Pellacraft from Press Association Images, based in Nottingham where she was the Brand and Design Marketing Executive. In her new role, Rebecca will be responsible for putting together on and off-line sales campaigns targeting businesses in the Midlands and professional services firms with a regional branch network.

Commenting she said, “Pellacraft is a great family business, and I enjoy working in a busy and varied environment. With such a vast range of promotional products and a large number of promotional events in the marketing calendar I’m looking forward to the new challenge and working with a great creative team.”

In her spare time Rebecca helps to run a non-profit successful folk, roots and acoustic music club in South Derbyshire, called Village Folk.

Liam Morgan has a BA (Hons) in set design for stage and screen and number of BTEC awards across 3D design and multimedia.

Currently living in Wakefield, Liam was previously a graphic designer for live entertainment and App work at Peel Entertainment where he worked on different BBC, CBBC and ITV dramas. He was also a concept artist for Cbeebies production and a storyboard artist for the Greenwich & International Festival depicting stunt team activities involving cranes and fire.

Commenting he said, “I believe great design follows a code and believe good designers can turn their hand to almost anything. I can’t wait get involved in the exciting projects Pellacraft completes for their customers.”

Liam is a fitness fanatic and was chosen to be a medal bearer for the Olympic and Paralympic games, presenting medals to athletes on the victory podium.

Promotional merchandise and business gifts supplier, Pellacraft has appointed a new web developer and a graphic designer.

Autumn is traditionally a very busy time for the promotional goods industry as companies gear up for the conference season and Christmas. The appointments will enable Pellacraft to deal with the uplift in orders and continue to provide a first class service.

The new joiners are Sam Brown, who lives in Warsop, and Laura-Jayne Parsons from Shirebrook.

Sam has a BSC (Hons) in Computer Systems (Forensic & Security) from Nottingham Trent University and will be working in the web team developing websites and online ordering portals.

Commenting Sam said, “I wanted a change and to seek out new challenges. I also liked the fact that Pellacraft has ethical sourcing policies that places people before profits.”

In his spare time Sam likes to watch football and has an interest in classic cars.

Also joining the award winning family business is graphic designer Laura-Jayne Parsons who has a 1^st class honours degree In Graphic Communication from Northampton University and a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design from West Notts College.

Laura-Jayne will be working as part of the design team creating artwork for lots of different applications. She previously worked for Pellacraft in 2006 before leaving to start her degree in Northampton. After graduating Laura-Jayne worked as a designer for a creative agency in Nottingham.

Commenting Laura said. “Pellacraft is a lovely family environment and everyone is so friendly. The role itself is very varied, fast moving and interesting with lots of new challenges and things for me to learn.”

Laura loves to travel and explore new places and cultures.  Whilst at University she earned a scholarship to study in America and spent 14 weeks at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Pellacraft is an award winning family business, founded over thirty years ago. The company is based on Hermitage Lane in Mansfield and employs 23 people. It plans a further three new appointments to meet a growing demand for promotional merchandise, business gifts and conference support materials.