The Image Group (asi/230059) has new owners.

The Vancouver, BC-based distributor welcomes Farooq Shariff and Kaela Karim as the new co-owners, taking the reins from Laura Hansen, who has retired after serving as president since 1996. The handover process began in November 2025.

Kaela Karim, Laura Hansen and Farooq Shariff, Image Group (asi/230059)

“We knew it was the right business when it was presented to us,” said Shariff, who’s also the principal of investment firm FKQ Holdings Ltd. “We met Laura, who built this company from the ground up. We had a good comfort level with her from the beginning. The team is really like a family and we could feel that.”

Shariff added that the company has “a strong foundation” they’ll continue to build on, and will be retaining all employees as well as the company’s offices in downtown Vancouver.

“That’s important,” said Hansen. “Because Farooq and Kaela are local and keeping the team, they’re maintaining our Western footprint, and that benefits our customers.”

Now, as Shariff and Karim work with Hansen during her 90-day transition period, Hansen said she’ll miss the people of the promo industry the most. Still, she’s looking forward to retirement.

“I plan to spend time with my friends, travel, read books and garden,” she said. “You take vacations when you have a business, but it’s always in the back of your mind.”

Image Group will always be “Laura’s baby,” said Shariff, who looks forward to her visits in the future. In the meantime, “we’re excited to get a fresh set of eyes on the company and give it new energy,” he said. “There’s always room for more growth.”