Industry Moves

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.

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.”

Grant Gie appointed UK MD of Creative Kids

The New York based crafts and activity company Creative Kids has continued its expansion within the UK with the appointment of Grant Gie, who will head up operations in the country as managing director.

The company is welcoming Grant as a recognisable face, who has worked in the toy industry for over 14 years. He joins Creative Kids following his most recent role as international sales director at Melissa & Doug, having previously held senior roles at Sambro and Hasbro.

Creative Kids is already established within the UK and is becoming known and respected for its extensive arts & crafts and STEM toy ranges with successful owned properties, as well as an increasing licensed property portfolio. The company has also just signed a multi-year, multi-national licensing partnership deal with Hasbro, which will see it produce a full range of Play-Doh products across a wide assortment of clays and compounds.

Daniel Delapa from Creative Kids added: “We have bold plans to grow our UK presence exponentially and are delighted that Grant is joining to lead us forward as we expand our core business and licensed product portfolio. We’re excited to have secured someone of Grant’s calibre and experience to cement the Creative Kids brand in the UK, working with us to develop our business as well as opening up new opportunities.”

To find out more about Creative Kids, email Grant@Creativekids.com or call 07827 880 159.

Kate Holman joins Playmobil UK team

Kate Holman has joined Playmobil as the new senior National Account manager with a focus on the toy specialist channel. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and industry experience, having held a senior national account role at Kids2 for the last three years, as well as buyer roles at Mothercare, ELC and Tesco.

Alf Bohm, head of Sales at Playmobil UK commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Kate to the Playmobil team. With the great amount of industry experience she brings, I have no doubt that she will help us achieve the plans we have for this year and for the future.”

Kate added: “I am really excited to be joining Playmobil at such an important time for the brand and am looking forward to working with all the fantastic toy specialists. It was a pleasure to meet everyone at the Toymaster show and discuss plans for the rest of the year, with all the new and exciting ranges coming up.”

VR Distribution welcomes Penny Westwood

VR Distribution, the company behind bringing hit games such as Cards Against Humanity, What Do You Meme, Kids Against Maturity and many more to the UK, has appointed Penny Westwood as account manager. In her new role, Penny will strengthen the company’s increased focus on supporting key and independent retailers.

Penny has significant experience in the toy industry. Growing up, her father Paul sold toys, which inspired Penny to spend eight years running her own online toy store and, more recently, she spent three years in independent sales at Tactic Games.

“I am delighted to be joining VR Distribution at this exciting time, with the vast quantity of new games launching this year,” said Penny. “The role is simply the perfect fit with my passion for games. I am looking forward to supporting both new customers and many of the retail contacts I have made over the years.”

Stewart Middleton, consultant to VR Distribution, told Toy World: “Going into year three for VR Distribution in the UK, we are forecasting 20% growth this year, with What Do You Meme and Kids Against Maturity gaining significant momentum and set to sell in excess of 100k units this year in the UK – matching sales of Cards Against Humanity. We have over 20 new titles launching in the remainder of this year, with more focus on Family Games and the recently launched Duncan Pocket Money Lines”.

Flair GP welcomes back Verity Page

Flair GP has announced the reappointment of Verity Page to the position of head of Marketing to drive the success of key brands. Verity Page, née Groom, has re-joined the company’s sales and marketing division to build on her six-year history with the firm. She previously held the title of Marketing manager at Flair and played a fundamental role in the launch of multiple key brands, being integral in the success story of Shopkins.

Verity Page said: “This is a great time to be re-joining the Flair team. The existing brand portfolio combines an exciting mix of fresh IPs and heritage favourites, with the likes of Plasticine, MonsterVerse, the Messi Training System, Stickle Bricks, Unique Eyes and more. And that’s not to mention everything that’s still to come for AW22: Action Heroes, Hamstars and Super Cute Little Babies, to name but a few. It really is such a privilege to have the opportunity to work across such iconic and innovative brands and I am delighted to be a part of the incredible Flair family, once again.”

Julia Cake, UK country manager at Flair GP, addded: “We’re so thrilled to be able to welcome Verity back into the Flair fold. She played a huge role in launching Shopkins and multiple other Flair brands, and her experience in developing and executing impactful campaigns is going to make her a real asset to the team. I very much look forward to working with Verity to ensure the continued development and growth of the business.”

To contact the Flair GP team, email sales@flairplc.co.uk or call on 0208 643 0320.

Chedney Rodgers appointed SVP, Global & US Marketing, at Moose Toys

Moose Toys has announced that industry veteran Chedney Rodgers has joined the company as senior vice president, Global & US Marketing. Chedney is based out of the company’s US operation in El Segundo, California.

In this newly created leadership position, Chedney is responsible for aligning the company’s marketing strategies and messaging between the global and US brand teams. She said: “Moose’s commitment to innovation and sparking new trends with truly imaginative toys made this opportunity irresistible and presented the perfect next step in my career. I am looking forward to fully immersing myself in the dynamic Moose culture and contributing to its continued growth.”

Chedney has spent her career building and growing brands across the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia. She has held positions of increasing responsibility, first with Mattel and most recently Hasbro as vice president and global franchise lead for Monopoly.

“Chedney has worked on some of the most iconic toy brands and understands the nuances of navigating the global toy market,” said Belinda Gruebner, chief marketing officer, Moose Toys. “Her wealth of knowledge and depth of experience will be an incredible asset in leading our amazing global and US marketing teams and bringing to market some of our most game changing toys to date. She’s a great fit to join the Moose family.”

DKB expands sales team and welcomes Edel Siddle

DKB Toys and Distribution has announced the appointment of ‘industry tour de force’ Edel Siddle as field account manager. In her new role, Edel will strengthen the company’s increased focus on supporting independent retailers.

With a wealth of experience in the toy industry, including 15 years at Bandai as sales admin & operations manager and more recently three years as sales & communications manager at Skyrocket, Edel used her time at this year’s Toymaster Show to introduce herself to DKB customers.

“I am delighted to be joining the DKB team as a field account manager,” she commented. “With the exciting and extensive portfolio on offer, I am eager to get on board to learn and showcase the range. Having always had a passion for working with the indies, I cannot wait to start supporting retailers to continue DKB’s growth across the UK and Ireland”

The hotly anticipated Crazy Aarons Putty range took centre stage at the Toymaster event, with DKB reporting that interest in this range is already significant.

“What better way to start than with a trip to Harrogate for the Toymaster Show?” added Edel. “The event provided us with the perfect platform to introduce new lines across our Alex Brands range and the opportunity to re-launch the incredible Crazy Aarons products to UK retail.”