Card Factory has appointed Syed Kazmi as executive director of business development.

Due to join the business on 23 August, Kazmi will bring a wealth of experience in new markets, franchise and partnerships.

Most recently, he worked as international business director with HEMA where he was responsible for expanding the company’s international reach through franchise and wholesale multichannel agreements in new and existing markets. Prior to that, he was part of the executive team at Hamleys where as international director he led the operation of stores and wholesale channels in 25 markets.

 At Card Factory, Kazmi will work with the business development team to help the company deliver on one of the key parts of its five-year strategy by focusing on building out its partnership offer.

Darcy Willson-Rymer, chief executive of Card Factory, said: “Syed brings a breadth of experience which will allow Card Factory to fulfil its strategic vision of expanding into new markets and partnerships, putting our great value, high quality products in the hands of more shoppers in the UK and internationally.”

Card Factory operates through its nationwide chain of over 1,000 Card Factory stores, as well as through two  transactional websites.