Colleague Box marks first year with plans for expansion

Personalised gift box company Colleague Box, which was founded at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, is marking its first anniversary by announcing plans for further growth.

Created by Spondon husband-and-wife Adam and Natalie Bamford, the company turned over £1 million in its first five months and has now sold almost 100,000 gift boxes.

To celebrate its landmark birthday, Colleague Box has launched a new range of gift boxes – including a cocktail box and a ‘positivity box’, which contains 12 positivity cards with words of encouragement to motivate the recipient throughout the year.

The company is also preparing to move into a bigger warehouse, which will help accommodate its growing list of staff.

Natalie said: “The new place, on the Northedge Business Park, in Derby, is a modern, new unit.

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“We have been using the warehouse space there since December – in addition to our smaller warehouse at Sawley Park – to cope with demand for our boxes, particularly around Christmas.

“There is much more office space there, which is just what we need, and we’re excited to move.

“We’ve installed new flooring, which is the same colour as our logo and commissioned new signs for the place.

“It’s the perfect place for us to continue to grow the Colleague Box brand.”

There are now more than 40 different Colleague Boxes available to purchase on its website, which are suitable for all occasions, from virtual quiz nights to awards ceremonies.

Natalie said: “It incredible to think that 12 months ago Colleague Box was just an idea we had so that employers could stay in touch with staff who were either furloughed or working remotely due to the first coronavirus lockdown.

“I, too, was furloughed and, together with Adam, we took the initial idea for Colleague Box and turned it into similar to what you see today, working initially from our kitchen table.”

Keen sports fans, Natalie and Adam have sponsored Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s Billy Stanlake for this season.

The firm is also continuing to donate surplus stock to Derby charities, including Derby City Mission and Safe and Sound.

Adam said: “The way in which people are using the Colleague Box is so innovative.

“We love it when the phone rings and it’s a company that wants to do something completely custom.

“We also like to be completely flexible when it comes to contents and work with companies to create their own bespoke box, even sourcing them branded merchandise.

“There have been challenges. We’re a family and have had to endure months of home-schooling our children which has been a balancing act.

“However, we’re in a good place to push the business on post-pandemic and have collaborated with several local, small independent businesses including beauty business Divine Box – another Covid success story – and Mr Shaw; a Derby-based clothing company – to ensure that Colleague Box is constantly evolving.”