June/July 2026
housewareslive.net
NEWS
HAUS’ Caitlin Crombie scoops Advanced Apprentice of the Year honour Paul Shelley, Managing Director of HAUS Marketing & Distribution,
C
aitlin Crombie, Marketing Coordinator at HAUS Marketing & Distribution, has been named Advanced Apprentice of
the Year 2026 by the Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group. The award recognises apprentices who
have demonstrated outstanding professional development, workplace performance and a significant contribution to their employer. Ms Crombie received the accolade after successfully completing her Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship, achieving a distinction.
said: “We’re incredibly proud of Caitlin on completing her marketing apprenticeship. She has worked hard to achieve this qualification while supporting the day-to-day marketing activities at HAUS, and it’s been great to see her confidence and skills develop. “This is a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to seeing her continue to grow within the business. Congratulations, Caitlin.” Since joining HAUS in 2024, Ms Crombie has supported marketing activity
across the company’s portfolio of premium housewares brands, delivering campaigns spanning digital, social media, email, retail and trade channels. She has also worked on influencer partnerships, retailer collaborations and marketing activity at major industry events, helping to raise the profile of the distributor’s brand portfolio.
Fenwick joins CIH buying group F
enwick has joined the Combined Independents (Holdings) Ltd (CIH) buying group, becoming
the latest retailer to join the Euronics network as it looks to strengthen its electricals offering. The partnership will give the family-
owned department store group access to CIH’s collective buying power, supplier relationships, exclusive product ranges and retail expertise as it continues to develop its customer proposition. Founded in 1882, Fenwick operates eight department stores across the UK, offering a mix of electricals, homewares, fashion, beauty and lifestyle products. The retailer said joining CIH supports its strategy of enhancing the customer experience while continuing to invest in long-term growth.
Catherine Newton, Head of Buying
at Fenwick, said: “At Fenwick, we are always looking for new ways to evolve the customer experience and bring inspiring products and partnerships to our customers across the UK. “Joining the CIH group reflects
our continued focus on collaboration, innovation and delivering long-term value through a more connected and customer-focused retail experience. As a family-owned business with over 140
years of heritage, it is important that we continue to evolve while staying true to the quality, service and experience our customers know and love.” Harry Kyriacou, CEO of CIH, added:
“As a long-established, family-owned retailer, Fenwick shares our focus on delivering high-quality customer experiences and building strong, long- term relationships. “We look forward to supporting the team with access to shared insight, supplier partnerships and opportunities to continue to evolve their retail offering through CIH membership.” Through the partnership, Fenwick
customers will gain access to Euronics promotions and initiatives across its stores in Newcastle, Kingston, Brent Cross, York, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Bracknell and Colchester, as well as through its online business. Customers will also benefit from the retailer’s MyFenwick loyalty programme, launched in 2025 to provide a more personalised shopping experience. The announcement represents another high-profile addition to the CIH membership, further strengthening the Euronics network across the UK as retailers increasingly seek the benefits of collective purchasing power and closer supplier collaboration in a competitive electricals market.
Denby duo joins Portmeirion P
ortmeirion Group has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointments of Jane Mason as UK & Europe Director and Hayley Baddiley as Group
Marketing Director, as it continues to deliver its transformation strategy.
Both appointments took effect on 1 July and report directly to
Group CEO Michael Scheepers. Ms Mason joins from Denby, where she was UK & Ireland Managing Director. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in the housewares sector, having previously held senior roles at Le Creuset UK, DK Household Brands and Craster. In her new role, she will oversee commercial operations across the UK and Europe, driving sales growth and developing the group’s retail, wholesale, B2B and e-commerce channels. Ms Baddiley also joins from Denby after more than a decade leading its global marketing strategy. She will now oversee marketing for Portmeirion Group’s portfolio, with a focus on strengthening the Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester brands while driving consumer engagement and international growth.
The appointments follow Michael Scheepers’ arrival as CEO in
May and the company’s recent £18.6 million fundraising, which will help reduce debt and support its transformation programme. Mr Scheepers said: “The appointments of Jane and Hayley are another important step in delivering on our exciting growth plans for 2027 and beyond.”
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