Gift card specialists Incodia International and Precision Card Services (PCS) rebranded to the new moniker last month – both companies had been acquired in the first half of 2023 by Irish investment firm Woodberry Packaging, a subsidiary of Woodberry Capital.
Gerrard was appointed in the newly created group role last month, following a comprehensive review of the company’s leadership team.
With 25 years’ experience at the Incodia business, Gerrard was previously sales director at Incodia and then became sales director for both Incodia and PCS when the two management teams were merged.
He commented: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to take on the role of managing director at Certus Card Group.
“Having been part of this company for over two decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand its evolution and potential, and am particularly enthusiastic about leveraging the recent investments, especially PaperBurstTech [secure gift card packaging] to drive our growth in the UK and European markets.”
The group has recently made a $1m (£780m) investment in a high-secure sealing line to facilitate the launch of the PaperBurstTech product into the UK and European markets.
Speaking to Printweek today (7 April), Gerrard added: “Customer retention and prospect development are the two key roles. It’s about developing the customers, but retention is really key as well.
He added the group’s rebrand had been a hit with customers so far.
“Part of the discovery phase of the rebrand was that we spoke to a number of customers, and the feedback that came back was ‘trust’ and ‘reliable’. During that discovery phase we liked the idea of a Latin word, and the explainer for Certus is ‘certain, trust, and reliable’; it’s gone down very well.”
Mark Kerridge, chairman of Woodberry Packaging, also commented: “We are delighted to announce Paul’s appointment. His dedication and strategic vision has been instrumental in developing our sales operations and fostering strong customer relationships.
“He is the ideal leader to guide Certus Card Group into its next phase of growth.”
Adam Unsworth is now commercial director of the group, focusing on its core existing customers while, as of today, Karen Warner – who has been with the company for more than a decade – has been promoted to head of business development.
Certus Card Group can print and fulfil up to 250 million gift, hotel, loyalty and membership cards per year from its three sites in Skelmersdale, Macclesfield, and Colchester.
The group employs around 130 staff across a combined 8,400sqm of factory space, with revenues just over £19m. In 2025, it hopes to hit £20m.
