Industry moves

Steve Cox appointed UK senior sales manager at Connetix

Australian company Connetix Tiles has appointed Steve Cox as senior sales manager for the UK. Connetix is a family-owned business creating award-winning, STEAM accredited magnetic tiles designed to spark creativity and imaginations.

Steve brings with him valuable UK toy trade experience, having held senior sales director roles at Aurora World and Keel Toys. He enjoys working with creative teams from concept, bringing great products to market and is experienced in strategies for leading sales teams through difficult economic situations. “My ethos is to lead and manage from the frontline, not from behind a desk,” said Steve. “I’m delighted to be joining Connetix Tiles and can’t wait to get started and introduce the trade to its amazing, innovative products.”

A Connetix spokesperson commented: “Steve has a wealth of experience in sales and will be a wonderful addition to our team.”

At the London Toy Fair and Nuremburg, the company presented its award-winning STEAM range of magnetic tiles for the first time in Europe, and Steve was on hand to meet customers.

“From the beginning, there has always been an aim to be a respected brand that works in partnership with both consumers and retailers,” said Connetix. “This involves providing high quality toys that the whole family can enjoy, delivering incredible customer service and cultivating valuable partnerships with retailers.”

Connetix’s innovative ideas and product range has garnered global recognition, seeing the brand receive both nominations and several coveted awards in the toy industry, including being named Educational/STEAM Product of the Year by the Australian Toy Association in 2022.

Promotions and new hire expand Sambro’s senior leadership

Sambro International is celebrating two senior promotions and one senior hire, solidifying its Senior Leadership Team for 2023.

Clare Rix has taken on the newly created role of Brand and Licensing director, Ed Whieldon the role of Buying and Sourcing director and John Mallett has joined the business in the role of Product director.

Clare will have direct responsibility for growing Sambro’s current licensor relationships, including key accounts such as Hasbro, Disney, Paramount and Mattel. She’ll also be responsible for developing relationships with new licensors, growing the number of brands the company supports.

Ed will develop a sourcing strategy in line with the company’s growth plans with an ultimate objective of delivering quality product into value-led channels, while John will put his 10 years plus of creative experience to use, ensuring Sambro continues to excel in product development and innovations, both across its own IP brands and licensor brands.

The trio join the Senior Leadership Team’s existing five members as Sambro looks to future growth following its 25th anniversary last year. The strengthened team will now have a renewed focus on product development and innovation, supporting Sambro’s wider growth aims.

“Our people are the biggest driver of our success here at Sambro and it is wonderful to see three of the new team include the promotion of two employees who have supported us on our growth journey for some time now,” said Paul Blackaby, CEO Sambro. “Each of them has the drive, determination and passion we need to help us build further successes in 2023, and their roles in particular will really focus on our products and the ongoing development of our licensor portfolio, both of which are pivotal to our growth plans.“

BargainMax welcomes Neil Mitchell as senior buyer

Experienced toy buyer Neil Mitchell has joined online toy specialist retailer BargainMax in the role of senior buyer. Neil, who is well-known to the toy community through previous roles at Very and most recently Home Bargains, took up his new position on 3rd January.

Newly appointed BargainMax CEO, Alex Woolfstein, told Toy World: “We are delighted that Neil has decided to join our team. Our continued drive to expand our range of product to fuel growth showed a need to also expand our team. Neil will work alongside Emma Carden in our buying team, alongside a second new recruit, Amelia, as an assistant buyer. We are really excited to see what our growing team can achieve in 2023. With the backing of a new website set to launch in February and the full transition to our new distribution centre in Ellesmere Port due to be completed in March, we can see 2023 being a very exciting year for BargainMax.co.uk.”

Commenting on his appointment, Neil added: “I’m extremely pleased to be joining BargainMax especially at such an exciting time for the business. I’ve no doubt that my 20 years of experience within the toy industry will help BargainMax continue its growth journey and achieve even greater success in the future. I’m really looking forward to working with Alex, Emma and the wider team and can’t wait to get started.”

Neil can be contacted at neil@bargainmax.co.uk

Funko EMEA announces raft of new hires

Five new members have recently joined Funko EMEA’s team, filling marketing, sales and account management roles as the company continues to expand.

Sam Wilson joins Funko EMEA’s marketing team as marketing director, bringing with her a wealth of industry knowledge and marketing experience. For over 15 years, Sam has worked for high profile brands in the toy industry including LeapFrog and, most recently, MGA Entertainment.

Eva Verhaak – VP of Marketing and Business Development, said: “We’re delighted to have Sam join our growing marketing team in the role of marketing director, EMEA. Sam joins Funko at an exciting time as we continue our expansion across EMEA with our existing and new product portfolio. We are confident that her vast experience will be very beneficial for Funko and look forward to what’s to come in 2023.”

Sam added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and innovative company. The team and I are passionate and dedicated to continuing to make Funko a success with our retail partners. With all the amazing new launches across multiple categories, 2023 is going to be another exciting growth year for Funko.”

Two new faces have also joined Funko EMEA’s expanding sales force; Hazwan Tajuddin takes up the role of head of Amazon EMEA while Richard Skidmore onboards as Softlines sales manager.

Moving from Trust International, where he served as senior key account manager for Amazon UK and EU, Hazwan will lead the Amazon account team to support Funko’s expansion. Prior to being at Trust International, Hazwan was the Amazon account manager at Mattel UK for the likes of Barbie, Hot Wheels and WWE.

Richard, who joined Funko in September 2022, brings a wealth of experience in the apparel industry and has successfully grown and developed this area of the business with a number of key acquisitions being added to the client portfolio.

Funko EMEA has also appointed two new account managers. Josh Chapman takes up the newly created role of national account manager, joining from Bandai, and will report into Leanne Marlow, working across key national accounts as Funko looks to grow and develop these accounts further.

Josh comes with experience in both traditional toy and collector ranges, having worked across accounts such as The Entertainer, HMV, Game/Frasers, Waterstones, Gift Universe and Forbidden Planet during his two and a half years at Bandai. Prior to Bandai, Josh worked at Mattel for two years across all brands including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Thomas and Fisher Price.

Matthew Jones also joins as key account manager and comes from a licensed merchandise and video games company where he was UK sales manager, working with accounts such as Smyths toys, B&M, Game, THG and Gift Universe.

Karen Athill, senior regional channel director, said of the hires: “We’re extremely excited to have our new UK sales team in place for 2023. The additional resource of exceptional talent is paramount to Funko’s ambition to grow, evolve, and create an aspirational work culture in the industry.”

Nick Karmy joins Clementoni as national account manager

Experienced national account manager, Nick Karmy, has joined the UK Clementoni team. He joins Clementoni from VTech, having also worked previously at Alex Brands and Vivid.

Paul Fogarty, country manager UK and Ireland, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Nick on board at Clementoni UK. We are entering an exciting next phase of our ambitious growth plans and Nick’s knowledge of the industry coupled with his experience working for varied top-quality suppliers make him ideally equipped to help us achieve our objectives.”

“We have proven to be very resilient during the recent market challenges and have continued to grow through this period by utilising our broad product portfolio and increasing our marketing investment behind our key brands,” added Paul. “Nick joined the team just before Toy Fair where we unveiled even more exciting plans to fuel our growth.”

“I am thrilled to have joined Paul and the team at Clementoni UK and am enjoying working with the fantastic product portfolio,” said Nick. “Clementoni UK is embarking on its next phase of growth in the UK market with many exciting plans. I am looking forward to further strengthening and expanding Clementoni’s retail partnerships.”

Kidicraft kicks off 2023 with new sales hire

Kidicraft has welcomed Ross McFarlane as sales representative covering Scotland. The company says Ross’ appointment will help strengthen the sales team and support its continued growth.

Ross has a wealth of experience in the Garden Centre & Gift sector, representing brands including Yankee Candle, Shearer Candles, Snow Time/Sun Time, Bloomingville Tom Chambers and Mr Fothergills Seeds. Roy Greenwood, director of Kidicraft, said: “We are delighted to invite Ross onto the team. Ross comes with a great reputation within the Garden & Gift industry, and I am sure those who have previously been looked after by Ross will agree he will be a great addition to Kidicraft. I am confident Ross will continue to build on the relationships we already have in place with customers across Scotland.”

Hunter Price welcomes new Stationery, Arts & Crafts sales director

Hunter Price International has announced the arrival of Ben Cornwell as sales director for its Stationery, Arts & Crafts division. Ben will be working alongside Allana Holmes, who’s been promoted to sales director for the Home & Lifestyle division. Ben and Allana will work collaboratively alongside Richard Belford, sales director for the Toys & Activity team, to drive the overall sales and growth strategy for the wider business.

The company says the appointment of such a highly respected name in the industry continues to send a big message regarding the future direction and ambitious growth plans for Hunter Price.

Ben joins Hunter Price from art materials specialist Daler-Rowney, where he led the USA and international sales strategy for the Crayola licence. He delivered extensive growth and category solutions, which resulted in his team winning the Crayola product of the year award.

Hunter Price International is a trusted product developer and supplier of innovative and design-led consumer products for the UK’s leading retailers. The business has three core divisions: Home & Lifestyle, Toys & Activity and Stationery, Arts & Craft - a key division for Hunter Price which Ben aims to make a category-defining pillar within the business. The team will drive the delivery of exceptional product quality and designs across all brands, from Hunter Price own label and its extensive licensed offer.

Ben commented: “Working in the retail industry, it’s been impossible to not notice the growing buzz around Hunter Price over these past few years. I’ve known founders Jeremy and Josh for a while, and it’s been really intriguing to watch their vision – to become a leader in the marketplace – quickly become a reality. As a highly driven individual, it’s truly exciting when you find a business where your passion and ambitions both align.”

He continued: “Within my new role, I am fully committed to building on our recent successes and opportunities as a team, to create a diverse, inclusive and agile environment – while bringing to market best-in-class stationery and craft products which reflect consumer needs and trends.”

Enrico Groeneveld joins Gibsons as international business development manager

Gibsons Games has welcomed Enrico Groeneveld to the Gibsons team as international business development manager.

Enrico joins Gibsons from Jumbodiset where he started as creative director of King International puzzles, before taking up the role of managing director for six years. His appointment at the familyowned jigsaw puzzle and games company will help support its worldwide growth plans.

Commenting on his new role, Enrico said: “I am excited to join the Gibsons family and to start this new chapter in my career, and very much look forward to meeting existing and new customers in Nuremberg.”

Amanda Chaplin, Gibsons’ commercial director, stated: ‘We are delighted to welcome Enrico. He brings vast experience of the European market as well as endless passion and enthusiasm for our products and sharing them with the world.”

Alejandra Campos becomes event director of Spring and Autumn Fair

Spring and Autumn Fair has announced the promotion of Alejandra Campos to event director of Spring and Autumn Fair. With a focus on Autumn Fair and Moda, Alejandra will work alongside SAF event director Daniel Mayhew whose focus is Spring Fair.

“I am thrilled to promote Alejandra to event director of Spring and Autumn Fair,” said Spring and Autumn Fair Portfolio director, Nicola Meadows. “Since joining Hyve, she has shown immense talent, passion and drive and we are confident she will bring enormous energy and expertise. Alejandra and Daniel make a remarkable team and bring many years of invaluable experience in the industry and a combined vision to drive progress, innovate, and develop the shows to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our community and deliver return on time and investment.”

Alejandra joined Hyve Group plc in July 2022 as event director of Moda, one of the UK’s longest standing fashion trade shows which is now an integral part of Spring and Autumn Fair. During her career, she has achieved highlevel experience working on pioneering and successful trade exhibitions, consumer shows, conferences and awards ceremonies across a variety of countries and sectors.

Whilst heading the National Wedding Show portfolio at Ocean Media, Alejandra launched the Luxury Wedding Show, and left a strong mark on the bridal fashion industry with the conception and launch of White Gallery London. She went on to found London Bridal Fashion Week independently, and more recently was the event director of award-winning design-led trade event, Top Drawer London.

Alejandra commented: “As Hyve drives its portfolio of exhibitions into a revolutionary new phase with the launch of Connect@, I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to help lead our incredibly talented and motivated team at such an exciting time.”