industrymoves Obituary: Barry Brandon (1930-2013)


Toy World is sad to inform the trade that Barry Brandon, former chairman of The Fence Club and joint managing director of Bantel, has passed away. Barry Brandon was born 8th December 1930 in Shoreditch, London. He married his wife, Jean, in 1956, and they lived in Epping where they had their first daughter, Anita, in 1962, later moving to Ongar where Jason and Lisa were born. The family firm moved to Hoddesdon and then up North to Hawick, Scotland in 1970. Barry became joint managing director of the business in


approximately 1965/66. Barry joined The Fence Club in 1972 and became chairman in 1986; he was charity secretary for many years, handing over to Geoff Smith 16 years ago.


He was also a member of The Pickwick Bicycle Club, becoming president twice, and was the oldest living member at the time of his passing. The Fence Club and Pickwick were very important to Barry, and he always enjoyed the functions. When he became unwell he was very disappointed that he was unable to attend them. In retirement, Barry spent much of his time at his apartment in Spain enjoying happy times with his family. In his lifetime he owned numerous race


horses, being quite successful with ‘Bantel Buccaneer’. Barry became unwell in September/October 2012, and from then on had numerous stays in hospital. He suffered a third stroke on 31st December last


year, joking that he did not think much of the Hogmanay party at the local General Hospital. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in March (not caused through smoking) and he passed away suddenly but peacefully last Sunday. Our thoughts are with Barry’s wife Jean and their children, Jason, Lisa and Anita and his grandchildren at this sad time.


Trends UK has appointed Nicola Erskine as marketing manager. Nicola brings a wealth of marketing experience from outside the toy industry and, as part of Trends’ strategy to expand into other product categories whilst maintaining a foothold in its core heartland of science toys, Nicola will be responsible for managing digital and social media along with defining and implementing marketing and PR activity.


Cartamundi UK has strengthened its sales and marketing team with two new appointments. Trudi Bishop joins as head of marketing and licensing. Working across the full product range and sales channels, Trudi’s aim is to continue to improve Cartamundi’s retail product offering through fun, innovative products. She brings with her extensive product marketing experience across the UK, EMEA and Australasian markets from her previous roles at LeapFrog. Hayley MacLeod


joins as national account manager. Her remit will cover the grocers and other key retailers, as well as developing the retail and own-label business sectors for the UK division. She arrives with significant UK and international sales experience in the toy and gift industries with Flair Leisure Products, Vivid Imaginations and The Lagoon Group.


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and advertising for the Epoch making toys brands of Sylvanian families, Aquabeads and Charmies and took up her position on the 4th November 2013 ready, in advance, for Epoch making Toys to commence trading on the 1st January 2014.


IMC Toys has announced the appointment of Yvonne Fogg as its new financial controller. Terry Crew, managing director of IMC Toys, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Yvonne to IMC Toys. Yvonne brings with her a wealth of experience, and is already proving to be a valuable member of the team.”


Chris Lord has joined Hy-Pro International as brand manager for Shock Doctor. After completing his degree in sports science and business management, Chris worked in sports coaching and then in marketing for a leading health and lifestyle brand, giving him insight into sales, product marketing and PR. In recent years Chris has been working at British Swimming managing their key sponsorship accounts including Kellogg’s, Speedo and British Gas. Meanwhile, Mark McDonnell has re-joined Hy-Pro as sports sales manager. He previously worked in the licensing arena having spent the last 20 years working at Zap, Hy-pro, Manchester United and Umbro, gaining knowledge across a wide section of major retailers, mail order specialists and football clubs.


Newly-formed Epoch making toys has appointed Sally Carnall as marketing manager for the UK and Ireland. Sally will oversee all aspects of marketing, media


John Lamb joins Interplay as the new independent accounts manager; previously working for a well- known hotel chain, John has a wealth of experience dealing with customers. John succeeds Heather Mann, who, after a very productive three years in the role, has been promoted to key accounts manager. Charlotte Long also joins the sales team as its new sales office administrator. Charlotte will provide additional support to the ever increasing workload of the sales team. Gemma Porter is to be promoted with immediate effect to the position of marketing manager, another brand new role for Interplay, which will allow them to focus on building the brands further.


Famosa UK has announced that David Bowes joined the company on 4th November as sales manager alongside Simon McCrickard. Between them, David and Simon will head the Company’s sales effort in the UK. David joins with extensive experience in the Toy and Nursery industries most recently with Tomy but prior to that with RC2, Tippytoes and Mamas and Papas. David will be responsible for the development of a portfolio of major account customers and will also manage the company’s field sales team. He will report to Clive Wooster, Famosa’s UK head.


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