NEWS | Round-up Remembering Utopia’s Liz Green


Dave Conn, joint managing director of Utopia, pays tribute to his much-loved colleague and friend Liz Green, who died on 2 September, aged 58.


GENEROUS, WARM hearted, approachable, hilarious, lively; these are just some of the many words to describe Liz. A genuine force of nature, you could always tell if Liz was in the office as she whirled around, laughing and joking with colleagues. Elizabeth Bernadette Hall was born in Walsall in October 1963. After leaving school at 16, Liz held various jobs before moving into sales roles in her early 20s. Her younger brother Ian started to sell kitchens direct, and Liz joined him when she was 22, working first at Autumn Leaf.


Liz joined Ian and me at Utopia in 1992 and was responsible for dealing with all leads generated from a small showroom we had for kitchens and bedrooms and soon thereafter formed a formidable team of sales agents with whom she had a great relationship. By 1999 she had taken on the role of sales and marketing director.


She really helped shape and grow the business, for which Ian and I are so grateful and also immensely proud. Everyone loved her passion, speed, enthusiasm, and loyalty. She could be abrupt and never did tire of taking us to one side for a ‘talking to,’ but her friendship was immeasurable and one which I will miss very much indeed.


Right from the early days, Liz had a plan to retire and travel – which she did, only to return in 2017 to take up the role of project director in a supposed part time capacity. Liz was very instrumental in product development and many times we heard, “That’s no good, Fred and Hilda won’t buy that” or “You’re having a laugh, aren’t you?” and so it was back to the drawing board for the team until the amendments were met with a smile. Of course, Liz witnessed quite a journey from the beginning when our only product offering was fitted furniture and I can still see the contorted expression on her face when she was asked, not too long ago, to proof-read a brochure with the many ranges we have today.


there for, not to make themselves too comfortable and drink all her red wine.


So many people have come forward to say she was an industry legend, and she truly was. Journalists, customers, and suppliers would love to come and spend time with her travelling from afar to Utopia HQ, a testament to her knowledge, friendship and warmth.


Liz carried that same determination and enthusiasm that we all witnessed at work through to her private life embracing various


hobbies and pastimes.


Passionate about dogs and horses in particular, Liz delighted in owning several animals. Rory, her beloved horse she had from a young foal for over 30 years, was her pride and joy along with Toby, her first rescue dog, who was followed by Flynn another rescue. No effort or expense was spared for their continuing comfort, and it was her love of dogs that led Liz to invest in a campervan so that the dog, equipped with a canine passport, could travel with her around the UK and abroad.


Liz loved Portugal and bought an apartment in


Liz had her own very individual, inimitable style and a quite extraordinary personality for someone who was barely 5ft tall.


There are so many anecdotes, but I particularly remember the lovely story of her leaving early one morning to go and see a customer wearing a different shoe on each foot. On realising this, most people would have cancelled the appointment but not Liz, oh no, she just rocked up, burst through the showroom door shouting, “I’m not here for you to look at my shoes, I’m here for an order so come on.” The customer subsequently gave her an order for several displays.


I remember those KBB Birmingham exhibitions, where we had a two tier stand with upstairs hospitality. She wasn’t against customers resting their weary legs and having a good time but she would scan the room and very carefully remind them what they were


Showerwall promotes breast cancer awareness


WALL PANEL specialist Showerwall has pledged to donate £10 from the sales of panels that feature the colour pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.


Showerwall has a choice of 18 pink designs in its Acrylic Collection and the company hopes that this offer will raise much-needed funds for The Pink Ribbon Foundation, which provides funding for those UK charities that support people living with or affected by breast cancer, as well as those involved in further research, early detection and treatment. Showerwall also put together a social media campaign to help educate people about the importance of regular self-checks in the shower. It


12


is also supported by Instagram influencers who talk openly about how they have been directly impacted by breast cancer.


The donations from product sales will be made on all pink collection purchases from until the end of the year.


Commenting on the campaign, Showerwall managing director John Bagshaw said: “The Pink Ribbon Foundation is an amazing charity which offers incredible care and support for those suffering from breast cancer. We are so pleased to be partnering with them, and through our social media channels we will also be educating people on the importance of carrying out regular ‘self-checks’ whilst in the shower.”


Tavira on the Algarve coast in the early 2000’s, where she forged strong ties with both the local ex-pat and native communities getting involved in all sorts of charity initiatives and with whom she made some lifelong friends.


Liz also loved the outdoors, she would often be off walking, rambling or cycling both in this country and overseas in her spare time.


Liz will forever remain in many of our hearts and memories and as such we propose to set up the Liz Green Charity Fund, a way of bringing together our company charity fundraising events throughout each year, (that will be shared between two national charities, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support along with our local chosen charities closer to home too), at the same time as remembering Liz’s contribution and passion for the business. Liz leaves her partner Jason, her brother Ian, her wider family and many, many friends.


Quooker UK staff take part in skydive for charity


SENIOR MEMBERS of the Quooker UK team participated in a charity skydive after two colleagues and their families have recently been affected by cancer.


Quooker managing director Stephen Johnson and business development manager for Ireland and Northern Ireland, Cian Forkan, took part in the skydive.


The pair have already raised above their target of £2,000 with 59 donors to date. The money will be split between


the and Macmillan.


The Irish Cancer Society not only funds cancer research but works tirelessly to keep cancer treatments on the agenda of the Government. It also provides patient support. While, Macmillan is dedicated to supporting people and families undergoing cancer treatments. The charity provides information and care services to help those in need.


· November 2022 Irish Cancer Society


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88