4 minute read
Executive Profile
Cath Needham, head of sales at iCandy, talks changes from some 30 years in the nursery industry, star products and the need to support our retailers to ensure they are there for future generations.
Left: Cath Needham
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT ICANDY?
For almost four months, since July 2022, but I have been in the nursery industry for almost 30 years including have my own retail stores for over 20 years. My previous account management roles include a five-year period with Artsana Group and international sales with Peekaboo Holdings.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT AT THE
COMPANY?
I’ve joined the iCandy family at the start of a massive growth journey for the company. Harrogate was a huge achievement for our whole team, with 150 individual meetings taking place during the three days of the show. Another accomplishment is our successful recruitment for an account manager to cover the Ireland retailers, and I am now interviewing for an international account manager to grow our distribution channels throughout the world, ensuring iCandy is ready for the future.
FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB?
Everything! Walking into our offices to be greeted by such positivity is incredibly special. The warm welcomes from our independent retailers constantly reassures me that iCandy is a great company. The hero of course is always going to be the products, which I have loved since I started selling the iCandy Peach, Cherry and Apple in my stores back in 2009. They were my favourite brand back then, and to now be heading up their sales team is a dream come true moment for me.
WHO IS THE UNSUNG HERO OF THE COMPANY?
I am not sure where to start on this one as there are so many special people within the iCandy family. There is Martin Boyle, our md, who works incredibly hard to build the perfect iCandy team while ensuring we all have some fun and laughter. My internal sales manager, Leanne Baker and her team are amazing with invaluable industry knowledge. Last but by no means least, my special team of account managers who are out delivering the dream every day to our retailers.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHANGE WITHIN THE
NURSERY/PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY THAT YOU
HAVE SEEN SINCE YOU HAVE WORKED IN IT?
Gosh – so many changes in 30 years! I suppose I have to say one of the biggest was the start of online shopping which completely changed the landscape of retailing. The growth of social media, influencers and their impact on consumer choice, is another vast change, along with how our iCandy retailers are adapting to offering a different shopping experience for new parents to be.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE
EVER BEEN GIVEN?
There is no ‘i’ in team. We are a family at iCandy, and we all work together to grow the brand throughout the world. Each and every one of us is important, and together we can grow and be stronger.
BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE TAKEN AWAY FROM
THE LAST YEAR?
Losing a parent during Covid has made me consider my own mortality. Go out there and strive for what you want to achieve and learn something new every day. Look forwards to new opportunities and never dwell too much on the past. Be kind, happy and respectful and the world will be a better place because of you.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT
THE NURSERY/PRESCHOOL INDUSTRY, WHAT
WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I would love to instigate change to ensure that store owners and their irreplaceable team members are valued more. We speak so often about ‘unsung heroes’ but rarely is there a mention of our amazing retailers who are often the losers in political decisions. How can we give them more voice when they are offering such an incredible service to new families?
We need to support our retailers to ensure they are there for the future.
bébélephant have been appointed UK distributors of the simple, yet effective range from Sleepybump.
What is Sleepybump? Sleepybump is a unique structure of bumps that brings those good old bumpy pavements into your own home. Sleepybump is designed and engineered to precisely imitate those exact gentle sensations of those bumps at your favourite routes. The ones that your baby or newborn and you, like and need so much. How does it work? Just place Sleepybump on any surface and gently move your baby’s pram or buggy back and forth – they’ll be asleep pretty quickly!
Contact bébélephant for stock details. Available in various colours, with no-MOQ.
info@bebelephant.com | 020 8202 1467
New! Baby Shark Sets 30-Piece Friends Set + 17-Piece Family Set YouTube’s #1 Video 10bn+ views
● Make Baby, Mummy & Daddy sharks ● Funky, chunky, magnetic blocks ● Rotating Magnets System always connect System always connect ● Suitable from 18 months Suitable from 18 months
Made by
