dging panels RETAILER CATEGORY JUDGES: SIMON BICKNELL Marketing development director, Toolbank


An experienced director of group marketing with a demonstrated history of success in the tools, hardware and distribution industry, Simon began his career with a seven-year stint at Sandvik Saws & Tools before joining Toolbank. He has spent more than 30 years with the specialist distributor of hand and power tools, taking on the role of group sales director and, more recently, marketing development director.


CHRIS GLADWIN Supplier relations manager, Decco


Chris is responsible for managing and developing Decco’s relationships with key strategic suppliers and is based at its service centre in Newbury. Chris started his Decco career nine years ago at Decco Leeds and spent over four years as inventory controller, where he gained considerable knowledge across multiple categories including DIY, gardening and homewares. Prior to joining Decco, Chris had a field-based sales role for Pentax, with responsibility for a variety of retail customers, ranging from independents, to national multiples.


TOM JONES Director, Hafod Hardware


Tom joined family business, Hafod Hardware 10 years ago. With a keen eye for retail and marketing opportunities, he has helped Hafod expand into new categories in store and developed the retailer’s digital presence, complete with new website, active social media engagement and promotional videos. Tom was also responsible for creating Hafod’s Christmas campaign, which gained national attention and secured the Marketing Initiative of the Year trophy at the DIY Week Awards in May.


COLIN PETTY Industry consultant and former DIY Week publisher


Colin Petty is a DIY industry consultant, and a trustee of the Ken Hawley Collection Trust in Sheffield. He was formerly the editor and publisher of DIY Week, Builders Merchants Journal and Housewares, and is a past president of the Rainy Day Trust.


PAUL BAGNALL Channel manager, Henkel Consumer Adhesives


Paul forged a successful career in sales, working with both multiples and independent retailers across major retail channels, including DIY, grocery and stationery. He won a National Sales Award for Top Professional: FMCG, against other candidates from major food brands. Now in channel marketing at adhesives and sealants giant Henkel, Paul works closely with brand marketing and sales to ensure the company leverages its assets to the full in particular retail channels. He was also closely involved with the Hand it Over to Henkel project, highlighting how effective category marketing techniques can be for retailers of all sizes.


ALYSON HAYWOOD Business development consultant


Alyson has over 25 years’ worth of knowledge and experience in the horticulture industry, working as a retailer in a number of roles including, managing director of Moreton Park Garden Centre, regional operations manager, and regional manager for Wyevale Garden Centres, head of nurseries at Wyevale and, most recently head of horticultural quality control for Wyevale Garden Centres. She is now an independent improvement and development expert working with garden centres to build and grow their businesses. Alyson is also a GCA inspector; inspecting garden centres to ensure that the standards of retailing and merchandising benchmarked by the GCA is achieved.


MARK ALEXANDER Managing director, Benchmark Retail Services Limited


Mark’s sales career began in 1983 at Burton’s Biscuits and Philip Morris, where he learnt classic FMCG sales skills and developed into first line management. He moved into non-food in 1989 at Coloroll Crossley, where he held several roles, before being appointed sales director for the Consumer Division of Yale Security Products, then part of Williams Plc. In 1998, he joined Ostendorf UK – the supplier of B&Q’s own-label paint ranges. During his three years as sales director, Mark launched B&Q Colours, range extensions in Kitchen & Bathroom, One Coat and Multi-Surface paints and increased turnover six-fold. In 2001, he started Benchmark Retail Services Limited, driven by the desire to utilise his many years’ experience in senior management and working with third party service agencies to bring his commercial knowledge to the sector.


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