comment WILL YATESGroupe SEB Managing Director UK & Ireland based at Windsor in Berkshire On The Board
time is spent with our people to understand their focus and pressures. However, to truly guide the business, it’s
important that I also have quality time with my leadership team, aligning on areas in which we need to progress and ensuring that plans turn into action.
What's your background? Prior to Groupe SEB I spent 19 years in FMCG [Fast-Moving Consumer Goods], predominantly with Cadbury, then Kraft and latterly Mondelēz [the US multinational confectionery, food and beverage firm] as the business went through various ownership and structural changes. It was a fantastic experience and amazing grounding to work for that period of time in a blue-chip FMCG company. I held a variety of roles including channel controller, field sales director and planning controller Northern Europe – and I had the unbelievable opportunity to launch Trident chewing gum into the UK.
Tell us a bit about Groupe SEB. Groupe SEB is the world leader in small household equipment with a presence in over 150 countries and 34,000 employees. In 2018 it globally generated sales of €6.8 billion. The Groupe’s head office is based in beautiful
Lyon (the gastronomic capital of France) in a purpose-built campus to house all of our global business units. The Groupe SEB strategy is consistent with our long-standing mission of simplifying and embellishing the everyday lives of consumers and contributing to better living around the world, which is achieved through a multi-brand strategy including Tefal, KRUPS, Rowenta, WMF, Moulinex, All Clad and SUPOR. Our UK & Ireland business is located in the
heart of Windsor, just a stone’s throw from the River Thames, which is a fantastic environment for our employees. We pride ourselves on our culture and the capability of our people and never take either for granted; it’s our backbone.
What’s your working week like? To be honest it’s never the same and I thoroughly enjoy that about the role. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to meet retailers, agencies and suppliers most weeks, which enables me to remain hugely in touch with today’s fast changing world - plus I ensure that
December 2019
What’s keeping you busy? I wish there was a one-word answer to that. It’s a constant focus to ensure that both our outlook and strategy remain relevant to grow our business both today and tomorrow, whilst developing our work environment and people to deliver high performing teams.
What’s on your agenda? Delivering against our three-year strategy, which has just been rewritten and rolled out across the business. It touches all areas of our business and that of our customers, with our employees being at the heart of it. We continue to look to explore opportunities that our global business provides which create both excitement and expectation. A great example is sustainability: we have just launched our first fully recycled cookware and utensil range in alignment with our global sustainability policy and targets.
Most rewarding aspect of your job? It’s a real privilege to lead this business and any time I have the opportunity to represent the people that make it happen feels hugely rewarding. In addition, seeing initiatives come to life that have a positive impact on our community, environment, categories or customers, makes me very proud.
Most challenging aspect of your job? I always want to spend more time with more of our people but unfortunately, time is one of the most pressured commodities.
During your time in the housewares industry, what products have impressed you most and why?
One of the issues that the industry has is the recent lack of good innovation from enough people. By good innovation I mean something that will make a significant difference to a shopper, category or retailer - which is what people are looking for.
During your time in the housewares industry, which retailers have impressed you most and why? Having joined just over three years ago I think
•
HousewaresLive.net
it’s fair to say that during that time it’s been tough for retailers. A number have adapted well to the changing environment, creating true omnichannel businesses from traditional roots and being very clear on their identity, offer and strategy - not trying to be someone they’re not and cannot be. However, there are also those that have been unable to and, sadly, have not performed in line with expectations.
What’s the biggest challenge & opportunity facing retailers? One of the greatest challenges remains costs, whether in business rates, minimum wage or investment required. That’s why businesses need to have a strategy to be very clear on what they plan to do in order to offer the shopper a unique selling point. Clearly, nowadays this needs to cover all channels of trade, with service and value at the heart. However, it’s likely to be the people that will make the biggest difference - which is why we focus really heavily on our development and talent.
What’s the biggest opportunity facing suppliers? I believe there is a significant opportunity for the housewares Industry to drive key brands more which their shoppers both trust and look for such as Tefal. The industry is very fragmented, which in turn means that product selection is absolutely key - along with knowing that the brand will support in-store displays and experiences. This is what shoppers are looking for and this is what we are very keen to support.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the housewares industry? It’s an amazing industry with some truly great people within it. However, like most industries, now it’s tough. Making sure that your focus is on growing the category, offering shoppers something different and developing the industry should be everyone’s focus.
What do you do to relax? I’m fortunate enough to have twin daughters (aged 5) who keep me very busy and occupied outside work. I’m teaching them how to cook, which is a passion of mine and something they have a real interest in. And when I get time, which is rare, I thoroughly enjoy golf and make a point of being at the Ryder Cup every two years.
I also love challenges and completed the 3
Peaks Challenge with 10 people from the business this summer to raise £15,000 - which makes me feel extremely proud!
•
twitter.com/Housewaresnews
housewareslive.net | 31
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
