Meet Our Franchisees
Mark Phelps
From Corporate Executive to Seven-Figure Franchise Mentor
Executive Summary: Following an extensive, successful corporate career managing international sales and marketing programmes, Mark Phelps optimised a voluntary redundancy package, to step away from corporate travel and build a business of his own. Acquiring FASTSIGNS Kingston upon Thames in 2005, Mark aligned his project management skills with the proven FASTSIGNS B2B model. Through strategic facility expansion, continuous investment in advanced technology and dedicated team leadership, Mark weathered major economic downturns and scaled his centre to £1.1 million turnover.
Today, Mark stands as one of the network’s most acclaimed franchisees, actively mentoring new franchise owners, while enjoying an ideal balance between work and family life.
The Background: Turning Corporate Redundancy into Entrepreneurial Entry
Mark’s career began as a commercial graduate with BOC, spanning 14 years across various management roles, before he joined BG Group as an International Program Manager in their Consumer Products and Broadband Telecoms Division.
However, after years in corporate gas and telecoms, growing weary of constant international travel, a redundancy following the sale of the international business, presented him with the perfect opportunity to make a life-changing pivot.
When evaluating new business opportunities, franchising offered the ideal blend of independence and franchisor backing. Mark spent significant time researching options, before identifying a strong synergy with the FASTSIGNS business model:
- Project & team-based management: Aligned closely with his corporate management experience
- B2B Operating Hours: Standard Monday – Friday schedules allowed him to build a high-performing business without sacrificing his evenings and weekends with his family
Mark’s Journey: Two Decades of Stable Business Ownership
Over more than 20 years of franchise ownership, Mark’s continuous investment and operational discipline have transformed the business into a million-pound enterprise.
Resiliency and Product Versatility
From the 2008 global financial crisis, to the pandemic and recent UK economic volatility, Mark’s centre has navigated every economic shift. Backed by robust franchisor support programmes during downturns, Mark leveraged the inherent versatility of signage, an essential industry that evolves constantly with technology, to adapt to bespoke customer demands and market shifts.
During the Pandemic, Mark was part of a group of franchisees who worked alongside the UK support team, to create flexible working practices, that would allow franchisees to return to their centres and start working on signage, that would assist businesses with reopening in line with social distancing practices required. For Mark, this is the strength of the signage industry. Signs are always in demand to help inform the public. FASTSIGNS were able to flex its muscles and assist other businesses with our product, in a real time of need!
Facility Expansion and In-House Capability
In 2016, after 10 years of steady operation, Mark renewed his franchise agreement for another decade and accelerated his growth strategy. Recognising that physical constraints were limiting capacity, he leased the building next door, doubling his centre’s footprint from 1,000 to 2,000 square feet.
Mark reinvested in state-of-the-art, high-performance manufacturing equipment, to enhance capability:
- Increased In-House Production: Manufacturing output surged by approximately 30%, significantly reducing external outsourcing.
- Expanded Product Range: Advanced equipment allowed direct printing on a wider array of materials, unlocking new market segments.
- Accelerated Growth: Streamlined operations and higher margins drove turnover to new heights, setting the centre on course to achieve more than £1 million in turnover
A decade later, Mark’s signed his third franchise agreement and he is still on a journey of developing his production equipment! In 2026, Mark’s excited by 3D printing, having invested in printers that can help him produce key signage elements, like built-up letters, in-house.
Customers and Mark’s Can-Do Attitude
Due to Mark’s inquisitive, analytical nature and affinity for technology, Mark, whilst measured in his delivery, is always one to say ‘Yes’ to a challenge. This has led to some extremely exciting work, including multiple projects for Legoland Windsor and Chessington World of Adventure.
Network Leadership & Mentorship
Mark is an ambitious franchise owner who consistently adopts new technology and refined processes introduced by the global brand. Beyond driving his own centre’s performance, Mark plays a pivotal role in strengthening the wider FASTSIGNS franchise ecosystem.
Recognised as a trusted mentor across the network, Mark shares his nearly two decades of experience with incoming franchisees. He provides regular guidance and peer support to new owners across the network.
“Coming from the gas industry, I could see parallels between my previous work in B2B and B2C markets and the opportunity FASTSIGNS provided. The management element of the franchise, both project-based and team-based, felt like it offered a really positive synergy to my personal skills.”
— Mark Phelps, Franchisee, FASTSIGNS® Kingston upon Thames