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.


PAUL BAGNALL Channel Manager, Henkel Consumer Adhesives


Paul forged an immensely 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, who were from major food brands. He has recently been working in channel marketing at adhesives and sealants giant Henkel, where he has been working closely with brand marketing and sales to ensure the company leverages its assets to the full in particular retail channels. Mr Bagnall was also closely involved with the Hand it Over to Henkel project, which strives to demonstrate that category marketing techniques are just as relevant to the small independent retailer as they are to multi-national retailers.


PAUL HOUSEGO Retail consultant


Paul has 40 years’ inventory, procurement and category management experience in DIY, food & non food, with previous roles at Sainsburys and more than 35 years with Homebase under several owners, including Shroders and Home Retail Group. Having taken early retirement last year, Paul now works as a retail consultant in the industry. During his career he has worked across almost every category in the home improvement and garden sector.


COLIN PETTY Industry consultant and former DIY Week Publisher


During his long career in the industry, Colin has edited and been publisher of both DIY Week and Hardware & Garden Review, and has worked tirelessly with charity the Rainy Day Trust, sitting on the board as a trustee. He is currently working as a consultant within the DIY industry.


NIGEL WRIGHT Operations Director, Stax Trade Centres


Born and bred into the wholesale industry through family business W E Merris Ltd, which was later merged with Stax, Nigel has the role of operations director at Stax, where he directly oversees the Birmingham and Bristol branches. His role encompasses a wide variety of aspects, from day-to-day sales within the branch, to managing the firm’s 14-strong sales force. Stax now supplies a significant number of garden centres, as well as hardware and DIY stores. Nigel also heads up the wholesaler’s relationship with buying groups, such as Mica and BIRA.


STEVE AKERS Director of Buying, BIRA Direct


irector of buying, Steve has been with BIRA for the past six years, He has previously held roles with member-owned group Mica and various entertainment companies. He also spent 14 years at HMV where he worked his way up from sales assistant to hold several managerial roles, including manager of the Oxford Circus superstore, which boasted a multi-million pound turnover.


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.


IAIN WYLIE Chief Executive, Garden Centre Association


Former managing director of Grosvenor Garden Centre, Iain has been involved in the garden industry for a number of years, taking on his latest role at the helm of the GCA in 2013.


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