the awards 2020
Trading Achievement Award
Kitchen Hero Award
Geraldine Finnan presents the award to Toni McLellan (centre) WINNER: Toni McLellan
This unique accolade was introduced at the request of the judges, who recognised the need to honour outstanding individual contributions on the retailer side of the housewares industry.
Introducing the inaugural winner Toni McLellan, judge Geraldine Finnan said: “Toni is someone that lots of you will know and admire for many reasons. As someone with a wealth of experience and highly respected by many, she will be sadly missed by the industry.
“When Toni’s business - The Cook Shop in Leamington Spa - closed down last Autumn (by choice) after 40 years of extremely successful trading, it was definitely the end of an era.
“The business started back in the early eighties and although small in size, it was huge in product, selling over 12,000 lines! Some of these products remained unchanged for over 30 years, whereas others used to appear and disappear with trends.
“Customers came from far and wide to visit this shop in its delightful spa town, and for all sorts of reasons. They ranged from foodies, family cooks, students, professional chefs and ladies who do morning coffee to working mums and dads with little time on their hands. Male and female, young and old, this shop served them all.
“Despite being refused access on my first visit with my bag of goodies, as the owner was apparently unable to find her keys, I persisted and visited again and again and again until they caved in to my ‘charms!’
“Over the years, most of the customers and regular salespeople became firm friends and I know that a huge gap has now been left, both for the area and our industry.
“It has been a pleasure to work with this delightful lady. Every other rep and agent I know says the same. Toni will be sadly missed and it goes without saying that she is the obvious choice to receive this award. She can now go off and spend more time with her treasured family, enjoy some time to herself - and have some holidays!”
Due to illness, Roger (left) was unable to attend the ceremony, so Dexam md Bryony Dyer (centre) collected the award on his behalf from Alison Serret of Home Hardware (right).
WINNER: Roger Morgan-Grenville SPONSOR: Home Hardware
This award is bestowed on a professional who has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the housewares industry, going above and beyond the call of duty for their company or customers, and serving as a shining example for the sector.
Presenting the award, Slees Home Hardware retail director Alison Setter (representing sponsor Home Hardware), said: “Roger Morgan- Grenville joined his family business - housewares supplier Dexam - over 34 years ago. His previous career shaped much of what he became involved in a number of decades later - but more of that later.
“Within a few years of starting in the housewares industry, he was thrust into the managing director role where he stayed for over 20 years. A passion for food helped enormously in moving the business firmly into the kitchen.
“A well-known and respected character, he has made a significant contribution - not only to the business his family started in the 1950s, but also to the many companies they have represented as a distributor over the years. Many have become good friends (although not all!) and his ethos of building relationships has filtered down and remains at the heart of everything that is done by Dexam.
“He was a soldier in the Royal Green Jackets for nine years, during which time he served in five continents. From the things he experienced during this time and his knowledge of the challenges facing casualties returning from war, he was instrumental in the formation of the Help for Heroes charity in 2007 – in fact he was the Head Fundraiser, raising many, many millions to help the armed forces. All of this was achieved whilst still a full time director of Dexam with all of the demands of international travel.
“He then went on to also raise significant funds for Walking with the Wounded (walking home from London just before Christmas with friends from the industry also helping the cause), Care for Casualties and £59,000 for Kidney Cancer UK in 2016.
“As if that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, he is also the author of four books already published, and the fifth nearing completion. He has been the BHETA president for the past three years and his work for Dexam now takes on a slightly more part time nature, heading up the online team.
“I think we should be incredibly proud to have this person in our midst and for the contribution he has made to this industry and also his selfless charity work.”
March/April 2020
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