“PEOPLE FIRST, THE NUMBERS WILL FOLLOW”

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT GSG?

I am relatively new to GSG with a few months of experience, although previously I was heading up Artsana for 12 years, with key brands such as Chicco, Recaro and Boppy. While leading the growth in Artsana was brilliant, the excitement of joining GSG was too exciting to turn down.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AT THE COMPANY?

In a matter of weeks, we have been able to transform the culture and install workable strategies. The place is ‘on fire’, within our headquarters in Stratford Upon Avon, plus our incredibly hard working colleagues in our distribution centre. The company and trade customers have been quick to unite behind the ‘next chapter’ of GSG’s great growth path. The emphasis here is upon the colleagues and their appetite to be heavily involved in something that is developing into greatness. This has spread throughout the industry and will be valuable for parents, babies and grandparents.

FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?

‘People first, the numbers will follow’. This is my motto and I strive to deliver everyday by my actions. Catching people doing things right is amazing. Especially when it repeatedly happens. Investing time and energy in colleagues and seeing them progressively develop and deliver better results is a privilege.

WHO IS THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE COMPANY?

Too many to call out - there are heroes everywhere. I am acutely aware that I am demanding a lot from our colleagues. Guiding them to be even more results focused, solution oriented and reflective. This is an organisation that is breeding success due to pulling together as one unit. The unsung hero is Green Sheep Group as ‘one’.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE WITHIN THE PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY THAT YOU HAVE SEEN SINCE YOU HAVE WORKED IN IT?

Specifically, the introduction of a total new category titled as bedside cribs. Snuzpod and Chicco Next2Me were introduced 10 years ago. While they have very different designs and aesthetics, together they created a multimillion international category and most importantly, a parent and baby solution. While mid-wives strongly recommended parents to not sleep in the same bed with their babies, Snuzpod allowed the parent to bond easily with their baby in its own ‘space’ connected to the parental bed. A genius solution.

In general though, the internet. Stores are still vital as prestigious brands and products such as the Snuzpod and SnuzBaskit are often ‘sampled’ in shops, although researched online. The latter can often make up the majority of a retailer’s sales.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

Enjoy your life, it’s the only one you are likely to have. Unsure from where this quote emanated or if I just created it - although it seems right. It’s open to individual interpretation, although behind it, one should always be considering other people. Hence, be ethical and supportive while having that fun.

BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE PAST YEAR?

Remain agile by being calm, confident, humble and determined, taking people with you on the journey of success. Some of this may sound paradoxical, although agility at the front end helps deliver these ‘attributes’.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THE NURSERY/PRESCHOOL BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Our consumers need innovation to help make their lives fun, happy and easy. Parenting should be an immensely satisfying experience. Even more innovation as opposed to copying brand leaders should be encouraged, hence it is good to see retailers with broad minds who fully back the expertise delivered by brands.

Best Sellers

Andy Lane, owner of From the Stork, tells us:

“Our current best selling range is our soft toys and pram accessories by Little Dutch. Our all time best selling range is Blade & Rose clothing.”