Chris Isitt, Rubie’s vice president UK, EMEA and Australia, enjoyed a surprise celebration to mark nearly two decades of unprecedented growth earlier this week.
A surprise evening drinks and meal event in Oxfordshire saw over 30 staff, close friends and colleagues coming together to celebrate Chris’ 20 year anniversary, including Rubie’s president Marc Beige, his wife Phyllis and US general manager John Clausen, following on from a day of surprise celebration with office staff who worked hard to ensure Chris had all his favourite things – including the curry and donuts he is best known for, and some special guests.
Despite knowing about the arrival of his American counterparts, Chris – who first joined the UK operation when it was just a small concern with just a handful of representatives – was still surprised to walk into a restaurant packed full of colleagues and friends.
During some heartfelt speeches, Marc Beige, Rubie’s US president, said: “When we first came to Europe in the nineties this was little more than a wing and a prayer. We’ve built up quite a collection of world class companies in Europe – Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Holland, and to no small part Chris has shepherded the company through this and through all the challenges.”
John Clausen, Rubie’s US general manager added; “Chris, welcome to the 20-year milestone. Thank you for being a mentor to me, you’ve taught me a lot of things in business, and how you handle your team, I’ve brought a lot of things back to the US, some worked! Thank you for being a friend. Congratulations, I hope we’ll have friendship for another 20 years, enjoy tonight.”
Tributes were also presented from industry friends. Warner Bros.’ Paul Bufton said: “Many many heartfelt congratulations on the remarkable achievement of reaching your 20 year anniversary at Rubie’s. It’s milestones like this that help to put some context around all the great things you’ve done in your career, but more importantly remind us of something more precious and rare – enduring friendship. As I think back over the years I can’t help but chuckle over some of the good times we’ve shared – largely involving films, football and food – sometimes all three. We’ve even co-presented awards dressed as school boys. Here’s to another 20 years. Enjoy your special evening.”
Ian Downes, md of Start Licensing, added: “I’ve known Chris for the last 20 years. I worked at Fox Kids and Saban and he signed Power Rangers with me there and we maintained a friendship. Then I set up my own business some five years or so after that and he stopped returning my calls! But no, he was actually the first person to a licence from my new company (The Beano and Dennis the Menace). That gave us a great start in the business, and I’m very grateful for that. Chris is one of the biggest and best people in the business. I’m lucky to call him a friend and I thank him for that.”
The ‘Skipper’ himself, who was uncharacteristically emotional, said: “It’s been an incredible journey from what was more or less a start-up [in the UK] to where we are now. It’s been a real adventure, exploring and opening up new markets in the UK, Europe, and Australia and it has been a real pleasure to be part of the Rubie’s family for all this time, and with the Beige family themselves. Thank you very much for all your kind words. It’s really nice to see everyone who took time to be here tonight. Looking around the room, some of you have been here from the very start, it’s so nice to see how many people have stayed with the company, I’m really proud of what you’ve achieved for the Rubie’s family, because this is a family. And it’s a really special treat to have my own family here; my children and Tanya, who have always been my support crew. Thank you very much everybody.”
Congratulations Chris, from all your friends at PartyWorldwide.net!
