Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2018 (Issue 108)

giftfocus 7 news and events NEW APPOINTMENT Accessories brand A Gift From The Gods continued its expansion into the wholesale market with the appointment of experienced sales manager Ryan Sloan. The brand, along with its range of accessories, stationery, jewellery and loungewear, has been attracting all the right kinds of attention from commercial buyers in recent times. This strategic appointment looks set to cement its reputation as a strong wholesale player. Ryan’s varied experience in a range of fashion brand organisations will help to support further strategic growth in the next phase of the A Gift From The Gods brand odyssey. Ryan is no stranger to key account sales, having most recently worked with iconic footwear brand Birkenstock. There, he achieved some impressive results, exceeding yearly forecasts and securing a number of new, high-profile accounts. Previously, he worked with a large global apparel and accessories brand, growing and maintaining key international accounts. A dynamic and driven sales professional, Sloan is a natural relationship builder and looks set to bring energy, enthusiasm and expertise to his new role. Ryan says: “I’m delighted to be joining an exciting and dynamic brand just at the right time when it is attracting attention from top buyers. I will be creating a key account sales strategy and developing a network of international distributors. The product portfolio is diverse yet coherent, and there are so many opportunities for the brand. I can’t wait to get started.” Visit agiftfromthegods.com HENRYKA TO GROW BRAND IN THE SOUTH EAST WITH FIRST SALES AGENT Fast-growing British jewellery brand Henryka has welcomed its first sales agent, Ian McWilliams. He will work alongside sales manager Hollie Francis to grow the brand in the South East. Experienced sales professional McWilliams, who works with a range of well-known industry brands and service providers, will be responsible for growing the influence of Henryka across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex. These key areas are a source of untapped potential for Henryka, which has already won the favour of more than 70 stockists across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Many of its most successful partners are based in countryside locations, with local customers and tourists alike finding a synergy between the landscape and Henryka’s nature-themed designs. In recent months, Henryka has added to its best-selling Birds & Bees and All Creatures Great & Small ranges with its Exotic Palm collection for SS18. This tropical offer is accompanied by fresh model imagery, which is being developed into point-of- sale materials and a customer-facing lookbook. The winner of our March/April competition is Cathy Headdock from Bay Tree Gifts in Wickham. She’s won £500 RRP of jewellery from Rosa Red. To win £500 RRP worth of stock from ClimeMET, head over to page 149. ENESCO MANAGING DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN Enesco’s managing director, Ken Johnson, made the decision to retire at the end of May 2018 after five decades in the ceramic and giftware industry. Starting thanks to Anthony Wood and his father, Gerald, Ken was fortunate enough to sell its products in London in the ’60s, which were followed by regular trips to the U.S. and Canada, where he first met Enesco and Mr Gene Freedman. Some years later, Ken joined Border Fine Arts, which became the agents for Enesco in the UK and Ireland in 1989. Enesco Ltd, as it is now known, was formed in 1993. Ken was at the helm of the business for 12 years. From L-R Henryka founder Anna Emmett, new sales agent Ian McWilliams and Henryka sales manager, Hollie Francis