industrymoves HTI appoints Chris Spalding as CEO
HTI Group has appointed Chris Spalding as its CEO; he will report to a newly-formed investor board led by John Hutt, currently CEO and principal investor. Mr Hutt will take up the role of chairman and retain an active involvement in the strategic direction of the business. Chris has spent the last five years as managing director and SVP of LeapFrog International, growing its international division as part of the group’s global leadership team. Toy World caught up with Chris Spalding to learn more: What appealed to you about the role? It is an exciting opportunity to head the biggest UK independent toy company. HTI has strong potential due to a broad portfolio of products and a great opportunity for growth globally. Besides this having met the owner I felt we could get on well to drive the business forward even further. What do you see as the main objectives for HTI over the next few years? We need to continue to drive profitable growth and develop new products and brands that will help with this - so watch this space! You have a strong corporate background, while HTI is known for being more of an owner-lead, entrepreneurial company. Do you envisage a change in the company’s ethos moving forward? I have worked for a range of companies some more corporate than others. The best ones have been a good mix of both corporate processes and procedures as well as an entrepreneurial flair. Link that to a strong team and for me that makes a very dynamic and exciting business.
Saban Brands has announced the appointment of Tim Juckes as sales director of UK Consumer Products. Juckes will manage all licensing, retail and marketing efforts in the region, in addition to identifying new growth opportunities for the company. Juckes will be based out of Saban Brands’ London office and will report to Gustavo Antonioni, managing director of Consumer Products Europe, to support the company’s activities in the UK for its core brands, Power Rangers, Paul Frank, Julius Jr. and Digimon Fusion. Juckes joins Saban Brands after holding multiple senior design, sales and retail roles during his 17-year tenure at Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, most recently serving as sales and retail director.
Mothercare has named former Shop Direct boss Mark Newton- Jones as its interim chief executive, giving the group more time to search for a permanent leader to help revive its struggling UK business. Newton- Jones, who led online retailer Shop Direct for almost a decade until July and has also held senior roles at clothing retailer Next, joined Mothercare on 17th March. He succeeds Simon Calver, who quit in February after less than two years in the role, weeks after a profit warning showed his plans to revive the group were faltering.
The Copyrights Group has welcomed Demi Patel to the newly-created role of head of product
16 Toyworld
development. Demi will oversee all product design and development working alongside creative director Linda Pooley. Demi has extensive experience having worked on a number of award- winning properties throughout her licensing career.
strategy and delivering comprehensive marketing and franchise plans. Previously she has held senior marketing and
brand management roles for entertainment companies including Walt Disney and Hit Entertainment.
Click Distribution has taken on Lyndsey Sample, former sales manager at The In Thing, to head up its independent sales and Toymaster accounts. Lyndsey will be supported by Gemma Waddington, who was a sales executive at The In Thing.
Click opened a satellite office in the North West
Epoch Making Toys has announced the appointment of Simon Riggs as visual display manager. Riggs, who started in his new position on 3rd
March, is the latest appointment in the rapidly growing team. Riggs will be a vital asset to the company’s merchandising plans for Sylvanian Families and Aquabeads. With four years’ experience of developing and implementing in- store theatre for Playmobil, Riggs brings a wealth of merchandising experience with him.
Turner Broadcasting has appointed Lesley Bailey to the newly- created role of vice president of channel marketing and brand management for its EMEA business. Lesley will be
responsible for leading Turner’s kids channel marketing and brand management
where Lyndsey and Gemma will be based, which on March 17th. Mark Hillier, MD, said: “We are all delighted to have two people of such experience and who have great relationships with the independents and Toymaster accounts. It’s a great step forward for Click and shows the trade just how important we see the independents and how we want to support them.”
Kriya has announced the appointment of sales agents Andrew McCormick for Northern and Southern Ireland, and Barry Morris (pictured) for West UK, to represent all of its brands including Saddle Pals. Andrew and Barry will be contacting all of their customers directly with information about the ranges.
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