News: SVM Global celebrates ten years

SVM Global is proudly celebrating the tenth birthday of its UK office at Parkgate in Rotherham.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, e-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.

Under its parent company in the US, SVM have been growing for over 20 years. In the last decade the UK office has grown from two to over 60 staff. Initially, the company dealt solely in the gift card reselling industry, providing single and bulk orders across the globe. Now, the company also supplies rewards and benefits tools and platforms to companies across the country and works with top retailers such as TUI, Tesco and Starbucks.

Matthew Webster, head of retail at SVM Global, said: "I can't believe it's been ten years already. Those ten years have been a mix of frustration, education and exhilaration with some big highs. In the words of Big Chris from one of my favourite films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; "it's been emotional." To have been part of it since the very start is something I'm incredibly proud of; I'm still learning something new every day and long may that continue."

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Angela Webster, excellence and operations director at SVM Global, added: "I am very excited to be celebrating SVM Global's tenth birthday, and I'm proud to part of the original crew. Working at SVM Global is hugely satisfying, every day is different and what makes it so special is working with talented, passionate people. I am very proud of the service we offer and I'm looking forward to where we will go in the next ten years."

Based on Coleman Street, the firm transformed its business model in 2016 to be based on pre-payment with little credit extended to clients. It also took an extra 12,000 sq ft of space.

The latest big name partnership sees SVM Global taking on exclusive responsibility for all gift card, reload and eGift elements for Peacocks, the leading high street family fashion brand with over 500 stores in the UK. The company is part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which incorporates other brands such as Jaeger, Austin Reed and Jacques Vert.

Reccomended reading: How to Save Big on Corporate Gifts

David Rollinson, managing director at SVM Global, said: "Since joining the company in March, I have been proud to be part of the SVM Global team. The anniversary of our tenth birthday is a celebration of the innovation and market leading attributes of the company.

"Our years within the industry have given us the insight and wisdom that can only be gained with age. But, it's our hard working, passionate staff that keep us at the forefront of creativity and invention that has allowed us to become market leaders over the last ten years. It is also with this great team that we will continue to evolve over the next ten."

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News: Further growth is on the cards for SVM Global

SVM Global is preparing for its next phase of growth with a number of new hires, including a new managing director at its Rotherham base.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.

As the global gift and prepaid card sector is accelerating, SVM, which has its global office at Parkgate, has appointed David Rollinson to the position of managing director.

The hire follows on from the hiring of Tan Truong as its chief technology officer and Chris Larson as its vice president of finance, prepaid products.

Also in the UK, SVM has appointed Jonathan White to the position of retail business development director and Riaz Resh has joined as corporate senior account manager.

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Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.

David Rollinson, managing director at SVM Global (pictured), said: "I am honored and excited to lead the SVM Global team. The commitment of everyone in this company to integrity, client service and unique technology solutions is what makes this organization special. I also look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. to leverage our team's mutual knowledge of the incentive space and to service our international brands and customers."

Prior to joining SVM, David worked at Coca-Cola, Mars, Sara Lee Bakeries and Handleman. His most recent role was as Managing Director for NBTY with responsibilities for the UK, South Africaand New Zealand markets.

Marshall Reavis, founder and chief executive officer at SVM Global, added: "I'm excited to welcome David to the SVM Global team. We have a dedicated and experienced team in Rotherham, across all disciplines, many loyal customers and I look forward to the immediate impact David will have leading our valued global employees and getting to know and service our partners."

Reavis founded the company in 1997 with one prepaid card, the Mobil GO Card (now the ExxonMobil Cash Card), which was the first gasoline gift card product in the marketplace.

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News: SVM bags 500 brands worldwide

The latest clients to work with Rotherham-based SVM Global takes the portfolio of brands offered by the leader in the gift card industry to over 500 worldwide.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.

Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.

SVM Global are seeing further global success with new partnerships with two based in Ireland and two based in the Netherlands. SVM Global have been focused on growing the global partnerships team, travelling to Saudi in June and also visiting The Netherlands to build relationships with the best known retailers.

The latest signings include Waterstones, Superdry and Mango.

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One of the biggest deals is the exclusive partnership with Tesco, with SVM recognising Tesco's B2B Gifting programme as one of the top sellers of the year to date.

Sales of Tesco Gift Cards and Codes have increased month on month since the start of the year, and there was a significant uptake when HRH The Queen was seen being gifted a £50 Tesco Gift Card in the National press.

Tesco is at present the only supermarket to offer digital gift cards in the B2B sector but SVM has set it sights on the others.

SVM said that it has been undertaking "significant work" to ensure that orders of Tesco Gift Cards are received quicker, fulfilled efficiently and that the website is incredibly easy to monitor and report from.

Karl Vogeler, head of Tesco for Business, said: "SVM Global have been incredibly supportive of our ambition to become a true leader in the B2B Gifting Sector, especially with our move towards digital redemption. At Tesco we're very focused on the customer, moving away from looking at digital gift card purchases as simply B2C or B2B, but instead providing a really simple way to access digital gift cards, whatever they will be used for."

Joanne Peake, partnership director at SVM Global, added: "It is a continuous pleasure for us to support Tesco in becoming strong leaders within the digital gift card market, helping to provide an exceptional customer experience whilst delivering an effective innovative solution.

"There is a highly focused team behind this ongoing project to ensure, as a successful key partner, Tesco for Business sees the growth we envisage and are continually working towards."

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News: Rotherham firms flying the flag

Leading Rotherham companies are amongst the mid-market firms that are driving growth in the region, according to the Yorkshire Report 2016, published by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

Illustrating trends in the financial performance of selected companies, the report highlights that mid-market companies in Yorkshire created 21,000 new jobs last year. Turnover was up 4% to £106.2bn compared to 6.9% the previous year but overseas turnover saw a worrying 11% drop compared to a 7.7% increase the previous year. Operating profits were up 8% to £4.8bn.

The report analyses the financial performance of the top 250 companies by turnover in the Yorkshire region. Analysis is split between the 50 largest organisations and the next 200 mid-market businesses.

Mid-market companies are driving the growth in the region with the top 200 companies vastly outperforming the largest 50 firms. Their profitability soared by 200% to £861m, based on a 10% increase to £24.4bn in turnover. The top 50 managed just a 2% increase in turnover.

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Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO in Yorkshire, described the mid-market firms as "Yorkshire's unsung heroes." He added: "Whilst there are many bright spots for businesses, there's no denying we continue to face challenging and uncertain times. However, businesses should not allow this to curb their ambitions and we should all pull together to grasp today's opportunities that could deliver significant growth in the future.

"What emerges from this year's Yorkshire Report is a picture of a bustling ecosystem that is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by devolution. However the challenge remains that both politicians and business leaders need to unite to ensure that those opportunities are not missed, so that the region can continue to play its part in the Northern Powerhouse."

50 of the 250 where from South Yorkshire, which had a collective operating profit of £479m.

Rotherham firms in the Top 250:

- A.E.S. Engineering Limited, the parent company of award-winning Templeborough manufacturer, AESSEAL
- AMG Superalloys UK Limited, hi-spec metals manufacturer formerly known as London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM)
- ASD Limited, leading lighting manufacturer based on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate
- Falcon Capital Investments Limited, an investor and operator of care homes with a turnover of £61.8m, registered to an address in Masbrough
- Jeld-Wen UK Limited, one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of windows, doors and stairs
- Maplin Electronics Limited, Manvers-based retailer whose latest yearly sales figure climbed 6.3% to £237m
- New York Bakery Company Limited, operates the largest bagel production facility in Europe, based at Swinton
- Nicholas Associates, fast-growing industrial and commercial recruiter that is aiming for a £200m turnover within five years
- Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Limited, based at Waleswood, the global integrated automotive and industrial supplier includes leading brand, LuK
- SVM Global Limited, Parkgate firm that is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market
- T.H.S. Tools Limited, the Templeborough-based tool wholesaler is the UK's largest buying group for independent industrial distributors

Pictured is a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate AESSEAL securing the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2016.

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News: SVM goes global

A leader in the gift card industry, SVM Global is living up to its new name having secured deals with a number of retailers across the world.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. The group, which has a turnover of £60m, dispatches over 15 million gift cards every year.

Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.

Last year the growing firm has secured an additional 12,000 sq ft of office space with support from Rotherham Council as it adds further leading brands to its portfolio that already includes Toys R Us, Virgin Gift Card and Debenhams, Ticketmaster and Interflora.

With an offer of financial support from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) via the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), a former textile factory at Parkgate has been transformed to meet the demand.

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Changing its name from SVM Europe to SVM Global, the expansion into the worldwide marketplace has continued as Myer - Australia's largest retail site, Pathe - based in the Netherlands, and Norwegian clothing retailer, Norway Shop all now provide gift cards through SVM Global.

The firm has also launched unique gift cards and e-codes that can be redeemed in specific countries, including Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Elizabeth Epsy, international partnerships executive at SVM Global, said: "With these new additions to our portfolio, it's an exciting time for us in international retail. Our aim has always been to offer a diverse range of products across the globe, and with this product launch we can offer even greater choice and flexibility for our clients. Our work is never finished however; watch this space as we expand further."

Recommended reading: First Impressions That Stick: How Business Cards Can Power Up Your Brand

One of the most high profile partnerships for SVM is the deal with supermarket giant, Tesco to launch a gift card that can be redeemed at over 3,000 UK stores as well as online. At the end of 2015, Tesco became the first supermarket in the UK to offer a B2B digital gift card solution.

Dan Nugent, sales director at SVM, said: "Digital rewards are an excellent way to quickly recognise and reward behaviours - offering instant gratification and the choice that Tesco provides they are a fantastic motivational tool for every audience."

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News: SVM increase office space in Rotherham

SVM Europe, a leader in the gift card industry, is expanding its Rotherham location to help meet growing demand.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs over 60 staff.

With support from Rotherham Council, the growing firm has secured an additional 12,000 sq ft of office space as it adds further leading brands to its portfolio that already includes Toys R Us, Virgin Gift Card and Debenhams. Recent additions include Ticketmaster and Interflora.

Brian Dunne, managing director for SVM Europe Ltd, said: "We are a values driven business and our success over the past four years has purely been down to the people in our organisation. We have been very fortunate in attracting local people who fit with our passion and culture and we have an excellent team who without their enthusiasm and dedication we certainly would not have expanded at the rate we've seen over the past few years.

"Rotherham Borough Council, through its business support arm, Rotherham Investment and Development Office (RiDO), has also supported us since day one and they've been instrumental in this latest development to increase our office space in Rotherham."

Cllr Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Business Growth and Regeneration at the council, added: "SVM is a real success story for the local area, both in terms of job creation and the boost this give to the local economy. We're delighted to see the company thrive in Rotherham and congratulate them on their success.

"A key part of growing the local economy is also about supporting the growth of companies that are already trading in Rotherham. We have thousands of good companies that have growth potential and we are keen to work with them to harness that potential."

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News: SVM Europe expand portfolio

Rotherham-based SVM Europe, a leader in the gift card industry, has expanded its portfolio to offer gift cards for hotel stays and concert tickets as it looks to dominate the European market.

SVM is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market with products used as incentives for sales staff and as part of cementing relationships with clients. Founded in the US in 1997, the European operations launched in 2008 and has offices in London and at Parkgate, Rotherham, where it employs around 50 staff.

Already working with 75 major UK retail brands, SVM Europe has retail partners such as TUI, Toys R Us, Schuh, Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Strada. It has now expanded its portfolio to include gift cards for Ticketmaster, the global event ticketing leader and one of the world's top five eCommerce sites, with over 26 million monthly unique visitors. It is part of the Live Nation group that produces over 20,000 shows annually for more than 2,000 artists.

Dan Nugent, sales director at SVM Europe, said: "The addition of the multi use Ticketmaster Card adds great benefit and dimension to our current portfolio of over 70 leading brands. The fact that you can use the card on a variety of live entertainment events from comedy shows to seeing your favourite band live is fantastic as it offers the recipient flexibility so it is a great reward of choice with something for everyone."

Nihal Pekbeken, VP Marketing at Ticketmaster UK, added: "We are delighted to be offering the Ticketmaster Gift Card through SVM Europe, giving us a great opportunity to open up our gift card offering to the corporate rewards market place."

SVM Europe is also adding to its portfolio with a link up with US-based Orbitz, to offer the Global Hotel Card, which can be used at over 70,000 hotels worldwide including all the hotel major brands, resorts, destinations, boutique hotels, Bed and Breakfast choices and more.

Nugent added: "The Global Hotel Card is a great acquisition to our portfolio. The travel nature of this product lines perfectly within motivational and promotional programmes, as travel incentives are a great motivator for any employer. The Global Hotel Card offers the end recipient a wide variety of holiday destinations worldwide in over 240 countries and is a great asset to have on any incentive and motivation reward scheme."

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