Industry Moves

Bandai UK welcomes new commercial manager

Bandai UK has appointed Leanne Royce as commercial manager of its Collector and Hobby Channel. The new position has been created to support the exponential growth of the division, a category that currently continues to flourish within the toy industry.

Nic Aldridge, MD, Bandai UK, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Leanne to the UK business, and to do so at such an exciting time in Bandai’s development as we look to unlock previously unrealised product categories from our parent company in Japan which represent a host of new opportunities for the UK market. This is while continuing to develop our already incredibly successful Collector and Hobby business. We’ll have some extremely exciting announcements to make as we progress through the year which Leanne and her team will be responsible for spearheading as we bring them to market.”

With 20 years’ experience in the industry, following roles at Tomy, Flair and most recently Wow! Stuff, Leanne will be responsible for channel and marketing strategies, range planning and distribution development. Bandai UK is uniquely positioned to grow the collector category thanks to its strength and depth of product deriving from homegrown IP development, alongside its distribution lines of brands such as McFarlane Action Figures. Leanne will start her new role at Bandai on 1st August.

Leanne added: “My time in the toy industry began over 20 years ago at Tomy, whilst completing my Law degree. It’s true what they say, that once you’re in you never leave. My time at Tomy, Flair and Wow! Stuff has given me amazing experience that has shaped my career today, and Bandai is the perfect next step. It is such an exciting time to be joining the company; especially in the collector category which is going from strength to strength. I am looking forward to fully immersing myself in the collector world and bringing all my experience and passion to continue driving it to the next level.”

8th Wonder bolsters team with two new appointments

Claire Olewnik

Beverley Cochrane

Plush and wooden toy specialist 8th Wonder has bolstered its team with the appointment of two new members. The company has welcomed Claire Olewnik as senior commercial & business development manager while Beverley Cochrane has joined as a national account manager.

Claire brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience having worked within the toy industry for 15 years. Claire’s previous senior roles at Mothercare and Mookie Toys have equipped her with many skills in sales and brand development. She said: "With 8th Wonder's extensive licence portfolio, it is extremely exciting to be a part of this company and oversee 8th Wonder's business expansion.'

Beverley also brings 15 years’ experience working with licensed and wooden toys from her previous roles at Rainbow Design and Orange Tree Toys as sales manager, and said she is “thrilled to join 8th Wonder and work towards further developing the already fast-growing business”.

Commenting on the appointments, managing director Louise Tyrer said: “We are delighted to welcome Claire and Bev to the team. Their wealth of experience, combined with our fantastic team, will be a great asset to the business at this time when we are experiencing such significant growth.”

Caroline Taylor strengthens John Adams’ sales team as national account manager

According to the company, the appointment of Caroline as national account manager will help strengthen the sales team across all John Adams’ key brands, as well as new launches.

Caroline joins John Adams Leisure from Epoch, where she worked as a field sales manager and within other sales roles for seven years.

John Adams’ group sales director, Bruno Gallone, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Caroline to the team. Caroline has over 15 years’ worth of experience in the toy industry and heaps of enthusiasm, which will be instrumental in driving and achieving continued growth.”

Gabe Hicks joins Steamforged Games as senior game designer

As senior game designer at Steamforged Games, Gabe will be working on developing new systems and products in the company’s range of own IP and roster of video game licensed games.

Gabe is an innovative designer and respected personality in the tabletop games industry and his work includes the best-selling Class Modifier Module, the Essence system design for Renegade Games, and contributions to Flames of Freedom from Andrew McMeel Publishing, Pathfinder from Paizo Publishing and Kobold Press’ Tome of Heroes. Alongside his design work, he is recognised for his successful streaming career, working with Critical Role among many others.

Mat Hart, chief creative officer at Steamforged Games, said: “At SFG, we want to work with the best talent in the industry, and Gabe is exactly that. He’s a brilliant designer and a great person, and together we are going to create some truly amazing gaming experiences.”

Gabe will be working on developing new systems, and building products in the company’s range of own IP and roster of AAA tier video game licensed games.

Gabe commented: “I’m so pumped to join the Steamforged team, especially with the launch of Epic Encounters: Local Legends. These worlds are just getting started and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Nigel Kay joins Creative Kids as head of Sales, UK

Creative Kids UK continues its expansion with the appointment of Nigel Kay, who will oversee sales across all channels.

Nigel Kay is a well-known figure within UK retail, having worked in the toy industry for over 10 years. He joins the company following his most recent role as sales director UK & Ireland at Bandai, having previously also held senior sales roles at Hasbro.

Nigel's appointment follows that of Grant Gie as Creative Kids' UK managing director back in May. Creative Kids continues to invest in its UK business to support its significant growth plans and establish itself firmly within the Arts & Crafts category. In addition, the company is expanding into science kits under its Science to the Max brand, as well as Sense & Grow within the Infant and Pre-School category.

Nigel commented: "It’s a really exciting time to be joining Grant and the Creative Kids team in growing the business in the UK & Ireland. The product portfolio is very strong, with tremendous innovation in the pipeline too. I’m really looking forward to sharing our plans with our retail partners and driving success for our joint businesses."

Grant Gie adds: "In support of our strategic plans to grow our UK business, and to better service our retail partners with innovation from Creative Kids, I am delighted that Nigel is joining us to head up our sales team. Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience and existing relationships that will no doubt help us achieve our potential within the UK market. We look forward to meeting with UK retail partners in the coming months to showcase our 2023 ranges."

Peterkin UK appoints Andrew Fernandes as senior sales manager

Andrew Fernandes is a familiar face within the industry, having over 10 years’ experience with major toy companies. Before joining Peterkin, he spent seven years working at Playmobil, most recently as national account specialist. Andy has also worked for Hornby and Recreation as a national account manager.

Peterkin is owned by Toy Brokers Holdings, parent company of John Adams Leisure. Bruno Gallone, group sales director of John Adams, said: “Andy’s impressive toy industry experience is undeniable, and this wealth of experience and passion will help to support and drive Peterkin’s plans for future growth. We’re delighted to be welcoming Andrew to the team, with an exciting year ahead for Peterkin.”

For more information on the key Peterkin brands and new ranges, contact the sales team on sales@peterkin.co.uk

Wow! Stuff welcomes Emma Prendaglia as SNAM

Wow! Stuff has appointed Emma Prendaglia to the role of senior national accounts manager, making her responsible for some of the company’s leading UK retail customer accounts.

Emma commented: “I’ve recently said goodbye to the team at Jakks after an amazing four years of learning all about the toy industry, I’m very much looking forward to taking this experience and joining the amazing innovative team at Wow! Stuff.”

Wow! Stuff commercial director Dawn Lavalette added: “Emma Prendaglia is exactly what we are looking for from a Wow! Stuff’er; diligent with a great eye for detail, follow up, hard-working and fun. We would also like to give a big thanks for the hard work and commitment of Leanne Royce in her role looking after Smyths, Tesco and other leading UK retailers over the last three years and wish her the best of luck with her next move.”

University Games and Lagoon promote Victoria Reece to marketing executive

University Games has promoted Victoria Reece from marketing assistant to marketing executive, after just a year with the business.

Victoria will play a fundamental role in delivering the Q4 marketing campaigns that includes a heavyweight multimedia campaign for Subbuteo including TV advertising, radio partnerships, YouTube and social media plans. There will also be multi-media campaigns for best-selling family game Smart Ass, as well as online campaigns 5 Star Review, Question of Sport Board Game, Judge Your Friends and Quicksand.

Marketing director Gemma Lewington said she was delighted to see this promotion, adding: “Victoria is an absolute pleasure to work with and is a huge asset to the marketing team and the business as a whole. She has shown great diversity in her work and takes on every task she is given with dedication and focus. Over the last year, Victoria has been instrumental in the development of two new trade websites for our businesses, working with creativity and initiative to ensure these major projects were delivered on time. It has been a joy to watch her grow and develop in the role, to become the accomplished marketeer she now is and achieve this promotion that she very much deserves.”