Interview: Euronics
IER Interview with Harry Kyriacou
Meeting for the fi rst time at the busy Euronics Showcase, IER Managing Editor, Stuart Hopwood, met up and briefl y chatted with CIH buying group’s new CEO, Harry Kyriacou and ultimately followed up with an in-depth interview aſt er the event.
position in the market, and led digital and e-commerce transformation at Whirlpool. I have also managed signifi cant rebranding and integration projects at both Whirlpool and Strix, demonstrating my expertise in change management and product launches.
Stuart Hopwood: Can you tell us about your background and the journey that has led you here? Harry Kyriacou: My career began working directly within this industry at Philips Consumer Electronics. I was a commercial assistant, so actually my fi rst role was supporting the independent retailers, independent sales manager, and the independent retail channel. I held various roles in marketing and sales at
Philips, including Sales Director and International Key Account Director, and was there for 13 years. I then moved to Whirlpool UK and led the sales organisation before moving to the EMEA Headquarters in Italy as Head of E-commerce and Digital and fi nally Category Director for Dishwashing. I moved back to the UK with Glen Dimplex Consumer Appliances where I was responsible for global strategy and commercial excellence across all consumer division brands including Belling, Stoves, Britannia, Morphy Richards and Roberts Radio. Most recently, I joined Strix, a global leader
in kettle safety controls, as Chief Commercial Offi cer and Managing Director for Consumer Goods, and I was there for just over fi ve years.
SH: What would you say have been your greatest achievements? HK: Well, number one, my family. I am a father to three amazing children and obviously husband to an amazing wife who, without her support, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing. From a career point of view, there are a few
milestones that standout. Notably, I launched Philips Babycare in the UK, grew it to the third
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SH: What is it that attracted you to CIH? HK: CIH is a company I know extremely well, and it is in an industry that I love and know very well, which meant that it was the perfect choice. It is a 360 moment for me. In my fi rst role at Philips, I was the commercial assistant for the independent sales manager. So, my fi rst experience of this industry was in the independent channel and working with the independents. Now, to come full circle and work with the independent channel again is really closing the loop for me. I’m also enjoying being on the other side of the table, having sold to retailers and now being a retailer.
SH: And the nature of CIH and Euronics means there’s always a lot to get involved with. What is it that you’re most excited about? HK: I’m looking forward to really understanding our members’ needs. It is why CIH is here, why my team and myself are here, and that’s really to understand the members’ needs and try
to serve them as best as we can and become best practice and best in class at serving the members’ needs. I’m also very excited about the launch of Sensis and Schönhaus and what it means for the growth of CIH and Euronics. Having spent most of my career on the brand side, I feel I can add value and experience to the team and support on this journey. Our e-commerce business is another area of
evolution. More than 50% of sales come through online and nearly 100% of research for new appliances or consumer electronics are made online. So, it is essential that we are good at digital and at e-commerce, and that excites me in terms of the journey we’ve started.
SH: You recently attended your fi rst Showcase event – how was it? HK: As my fi rst Euronics Showcase as CEO, it was a great opportunity to meet with members and it was fantastic to see our members build relationships, see the latest innovations, and conduct business in a dynamic environment. This year’s event surpassed all expectations, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to its success.
SH: You’ve worked with CIH in the past from the supplier’s point of view. What do you think that experience is going bring to CIH? HK: A good example of this came early on in my career when I moved from marketing to sales. It gave me an advantage as I knew what the marketing team were thinking, and I knew what they had to consider when I was asking for something. Having sat on the other side of the table for nearly 30 years, I feel that I’ve got a good understanding of what suppliers are considering and what they’re thinking when we are sat opposite them. That knowledge of the other side of the coin is hopefully going to be useful for myself, the team, the suppliers and obviously the members.
Summer 2025
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