Blackhawk Network (BHN) Europe

Proud to see BHN Extras featured in Employee Benefits’ buyer's guide to home technology schemes. 🛋️ The guide provides a highly informative overview of our BHN Extras Home and Technology salary sacrifice scheme — covering everything from the range of products available, to how the scheme works, to the legal and tax considerations employers should be aware of. It also draws on BHN research, highlighting the growing trend of employees seeking a wider and more personalised mix of workplace benefits. Great to see this level of editorial recognition for a solution that’s helping employers support staff with meaningful, modern benefits. Take look here 👀 https://buff.ly/beDExoE #BHNExtras #BlackhawkNetwork #SalarySacrifice #BenefitsThatWork

🌟 More Thought Leadership Momentum! 🌟 I’m excited to share that DevX—a leading platform for tech entrepreneurs—has featured Leona Heymerdinguer's perspective in their latest article: “How to Show Empathy with De-escalation Techniques in Customer Service.” It’s great to see empathy and practical de-escalation strategies getting more attention in the tech and CX space. As teams scale and customer expectations rise, the ability to stay calm, connect authentically, and guide conversations toward resolution becomes a true competitive advantage. Huge thanks to the DevX editorial team for including my commentary. 🙌 If you're passionate about customer experience, emotional intelligence, or building resilient support teams, this article is a great read. https://buff.ly/tSU0aTa Onward! 🚀 #CustomerExperience #Leadership #DeEscalation #EmpathyInTech #CX #ThoughtLeadership

👏 Huge congratulations to the new Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) Retailer Executive Board Members . . . We are delighted to see our partners as the newly elected GCVA Retailer Executives: Sarah Isherwood, Gift & Partnerships Manager, Mitchells & Butlers PLC, and Iain Donachie, Senior Product Leader, Tesco IMS Congratulations to Jessica Hankers, Global Head of Sales, Virgin Incentives, who has been elected as the this Executive position. We extend our warmest congratulations to all three outstanding leaders. We look forward to seeing you on the board in 2026, and to the insight, expertise, and energy they will bring to the GCVA community. #GCVA #GiftCardIndustry #IncentivesIndustry #RetailLeadership #IndustryLeaders

🎄 Christmas spending has shifted — are you ready for it? 🎁 BHN's 2025 Peak Season research: consumers across Europe are embracing the festive spirit — but also feeling the economic pinch. In our latest eBook, we explore the key trends shaping this year’s holiday gift card market, including: ✅ How AI is transforming gifting across generations ✅ The power of strong promotions to drive both traffic and sales ✅ Why early engagement is the secret to winning Christmas shoppers — and market share 📘 You can download the full report here to see how your brand can stay ahead this festive season:👉 https://buff.ly/RANwMpW #Christmas2025 #RetailTrends #GiftCards #PeakSeason #CustomerExperience #BHN #Research

We’re incredibly grateful for the kind words from one of the amazing HR team at NatWest for trusting us to support their people. Our BHN Extras #bYond card is one of our most successful benefits, and it’s easy to see why. In 2024 alone, it helped return £2.2 million in cash back directly into the pockets of employees across our client companies. 🎁 Less stress, more joy, and a real impact on everyday wellbeing. That’s how we love to keep supporting those who choose us. Learn more about bYond ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dXnJqeSb #bYondCard #CashbackCard#EmployeeBenefits #FinancialWellbeing #WorkplaceWellbeing #BHNExtras #SmartSpending#HRStrategy#NatWest #SalarySacrifice #ChristmasBudget #SMEs

Thank you to Dr Hannah Shimko and the Gift Card & Voucher Association (GCVA) team for a fantastic Members’ Summit and AGM yesterday. It’s impressive to see how much has been delivered across the association over the past year. Over to PJ Mitchell, from BHN partner team to share his insights and thoughts from the day Always great to catch up with colleagues and peers from across the industry and dig into the big topics of the moment. At this point in the year, everyone’s asking the same question – will “peak” deliver? – and the overall mood felt quietly confident. Here are my key takeaways and thoughts from the day: 🔹 “It’s not trivial.”  A strong update on the association’s lobbying to raise the Trivial Benefits Allowance – a hugely important initiative backed by BHN. Hopefully we’ll hear positive news in next week’s budget. 🔹 Consumer Research: State of the Nation  A brilliant panel with some standout insights. The full report is worth a read, but two stats really caught my eye:  • 69% of gift card managers identify B2B as the biggest growth channel  • 81% see gift cards as a strategic revenue driver  Clear signals of where the industry is heading. 🔹 Final Panel: Every Little Helps – Cashback Cards, Employee Incentives & the Business Benefit  Great discussion on the growing importance of loyalty and cashback partnerships. Backed by State of the Nation data showing that 73% of retailers are developing collaborations in this area – a significant opportunity for the sector. We rounded off the day with some valuable networking before heading home – a great end to an insightful and energising event. #GCVAevents #GCVAmembers #GCVAAGM #MembersSummit #discussion #panels #summit  

Whoa-oo… the facial hair at BHN is flourishing! 👨🏻🦰✨ We’re officially halfway through the mighty month of #Movember, and the Mo’s are out in full force. And let’s not forget our incredible Movers putting in the miles, too! We’ve seen some epic efforts and inspiring growth over the first two weeks. Please take a Mo-ment to join me in celebrating some standout achievements: We’ve collectively completed 909 km so far — averaging over 53 km per day! A special shoutout to Tom Foster and Lucy Thompson, who have already smashed their 60 km targets. Amazing work! 💷 Fundraising: We’ve raised an incredible £1,079 for Movember and £530 for Macmillan Cancer Support, already surpassing our original £500 target. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated so far — your support truly makes an impact. Let’s keep the momentum going for the second half of Movember. The Mo’s are growing, the miles are adding up, and the difference we’re making together is real. 💙 You can donate directly via our Movember Challenge page here https://buff.ly/mt0x1IC

🚨 It’s time to vote in the GCVA Executive Elections! 🚨 Your vote plays an essential role in shaping the future of our industry. The GCVA Executive Group works closely with the Managing Director to set and deliver the strategic direction of the association. This year, two fantastic candidates are standing for election Vikki Zelkin and Damian Kingsford. Both bring deep sector knowledge, forward-thinking perspectives, and a commitment to supporting the continued growth of the gift card ecosystem. "I’m passionate about the role gift cards play in motivating behaviour and creating positive experiences, and I’d love to bring that perspective to the GCVA Board — helping to grow awareness, innovation, and collaborating to better the wider gift card community. - Vikki Zelkin, Director, Product Management, One4all "I’m keen to join the Board to give back to an industry that has shaped much of my career. With over 15 years of hands-on experience across every part of the gift card ecosystem, I want to use that depth of knowledge to add real value and perspective within the GCVA community. Above all, I want to bring energy, positivity, and a collaborative spirit to the Board." - Damian Kingsford, Senior Director, BHN #GCVAElections #GiftCardIndustry #BHN #IndustryLeadership #VoteNow

🎄We’re excited to share that our latest Christmas research has been featured by Employee Benefits🎄 This year’s findings highlight just how important seasonal rewards are for employees — with 88% saying they’d like to receive a gift card for Christmas. It’s a timely reminder of the role meaningful recognition plays in financial wellbeing and employee morale. You can read the full feature here https://buff.ly/v5292MO #EmployeeBenefits #Christmas2025 #EmployeeWellbeing #RewardAndRecognition #GiftCards

Did you spot BHN's Leona Heymerdinguer featured in TechBullion's: Customer Retention Tactics That Boost Revenue: 18 Expert Lessons "We find that immediate, meaningful responses such as instant gift card rewards or thank-you gestures can be a simple yet highly effective way to acknowledge feedback and reinforce positive behaviors. Brands that create a continuous feedback loop — collecting insights, rewarding participation, and visibly adapting as a result — are able to turn their customers into co-creators of the brand experience. That not only enhances satisfaction, but directly contributes to repeat business and long-term loyalty." - Leona Read the article here https://buff.ly/qq5yHeO #CustomerRetention #CustomerExperience #CustomerFeedback #CustomerLoyalty #CX