Industry Moves Sara Taylor takes the helm at MGA MGA Entertainment, Inc. (MGAE) the largest privately held toy company, has announced the appointment of Sara Taylor as its new managing director for UK and Ireland. She will be joining the company in August. With over 31 years’ experience within the international toy industry, Sara joins MGA from Spin Master, where she has worked for over 13 years – most recently as general manager for the UK, Ireland and Amazon Europe. Prior to this, Sara also held senior positions at Funrise and Mattel. Tasked with leading a team across the UK and Ireland, Sara will oversee brands such as L.O.L. Surprise! which boasts the No.1 fashion doll with L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G; the No.3 Fashion Doll and fastest growing doll property, Rainbow High and No.1 Outdoor brand, Little Tikes (according to NPD UK 2022 data). Sara said: “There’s no doubt that MGA Entertainment is at the forefront of the toy industry, and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to play such a critical role within it. Working with such a passionate team, and on such innovative brands, both drives and excites me. I am thrilled to be able to bring my experience, gained over three decades working in the industry, to this role and to take the UK and Ireland operations to the next level.” Commenting on the appointment, Isaac Larian, CEO and founder of MGA Entertainment, added: “Sara has the great owner-operator mentality to fuel MGA’s growth to the next level. Her wealth of experience, combined with our incredible UK team and market-leading brands, is definitely a recipe for success. I am truly excited to see what the future holds for the UK and Ireland business under such experienced and inspiring new leadership.”
Clementoni appoints Paul Fogarty as country manager, UK and Ireland The Infant, Science and Puzzle company Clementoni has announced the appointment of Paul Fogarty to the role of country manager, UK and Ireland. Paul joins Clementoni with over 25 years’ experience in the toy and licensing industry, leading sales and marketing for multiple global brands including Mattel and Tomy, and more recently leading and re-establishing K’Nex in the UK. In his role as country manager, Paul will head up the UK and Ireland team, overseeing day-to-day operations and taking Clementoni into the next phase of significant growth with a strong focus on marketing strategy, product line expansion and retail distribution. Paul said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Clementoni at this time. The company has had an impressive burst of growth over recent years and I’m excited to be leading the UK team as we enter the next phase. The company’s strong family values, coupled with brands and products that are designed to endure and entertain and educate pre-schoolers, children and adults alike, places the company in a great position to achieve its growth potential. Clementoni has a real passion and understanding for toy development and what really matters to families. Its 'local' Italian production and Play For Future initiative, which drives towards 100% sustainable toys, will resonate strongly with consumers and retailers alike.” Flavia Verducci, export sales director at Clementoni, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to Clementoni. His vast sales, marketing and leadership experience will be a great asset to the business at a time when we are experiencing significant growth in the UK. With exciting product development planned for 2023 and beyond, Paul joins the team at a pivotal time.”
Ravensburger names new MD for UK and Ireland Ravensburger has confirmed the appointment of Richard Collins to continue the company’s trajectory of growth in the region. Richard will oversee Ravensburger UK’s entire portfolio which includes the flagship brand as well as the ThinkFun, GraviTrax, Brio and CreArt brands, spanning the puzzles, games, play sets and craft categories. Commenting on his appointment, Richard said: “I’m excited to be joining Ravensburger to work alongside an exceptional team and continue upon eleven years of sales growth. Tim Hall has built a strong team full of energy, experience, and expertise, and I’m honoured to now be leading them as we continue the Ravensburger success story in the UK and Ireland.” He brings to the UK business a wealth of omnichannel retail experience, having previously held leadership roles at fashion label Emilia Wickstead, high-end outdoor furniture brand White Stores and as managing director at Fossil UK. Richard’s experience includes not only commercial experience in P&L leadership, but also expertise in new business development, multi-platform customer focused strategies and strong team management. Richard’s immediate commercial focus is to maintain the strong trajectory of growth which he has inherited, with an emphasis on sales and marketing channels. His product portfolio focus is to build upon the successful 2021 launch of the craft painting-bynumbers brand CreArt, maintain momentum in the family and immersive games categories, launch the latest GraviTrax Power construction play system scheduled for launch later this year and ensure Ravensburger’s long-standing puzzles reputation with retailers and consumers retains its market leading position. Ravensburger’s UK business has doubled in the last six years, having notably grown its games business and made a strong entry into the craft category under the leadership of Tim Hall, who will remain with the business in an international licensing role. The company is currently the UK market leader in the adult, children and 3D puzzle category, holding more than 45 licences in its portfolio. Brio turnover in the UK has trebled under Ravensburger’s management since it took on the brand in 2015.
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