Former PwC partner joins retail group as FD

FORMER PricewaterhouseCoopers corporate finance partner Darren Bryant is joining one of the region’s most successful privately-owned firms as group finance director.

Mr Bryant, who left his role at PwC in Leeds earlier this year, will join Wakefield-based retail chain Card Factory later this month and will help with the growth of the business.

The Card Factory was founded in 1997 with just one store by entrepreneur Dean Hoyle, who is the chairman of Huddersfield Town FC.

It has now grown to boast almost 500 outlets with 4,000 staff selling cards, gifts and gift wrap.

Last year it bought 76 stores from collapsed rival The Celebrations Group.

Card Factory managing director Richard Hayes said the company has a target of becoming as big as market leader Clinton, which owns the Birthdays brand, and has 1.050 stores.

Mr Hayes said: “Darren has been brough on board to help with our ongoing expansion plans.”

Last year Card Factory donated £1m to its corporate charity Macmillan Cancer Support and enlisted ITV’s Coleen Nolan as the face of the partnership. It is committed to raising more money over the next two years.