FIGURED’ART APPOINTS HELEN COTTRILL Figured’Art, a leader in innovative DIY art kits, is proud to welcome Helen Cottrill as its new Business Development Director, with a key focus on expanding the brand’s presence within the UK retail market. Founded in 2018, Figured’Art has rapidly established itself as the market leader in DIY art kits, offering a wide range of creative products including paint by numbers, diamond painting, and other artistic leisure activities. With more than 1,500 exclusive designs and five strategically located distribution centres across Europe and the USA, the company ensures high-quality, accessible creativity delivered within two to three days to customers worldwide. Helen brings with her more than 30 years of experience in the gift and collectible industry, having spent most of her career at Enesco as Marketing and Product Director. Following a brief break during which she worked with Blade and Rose as a Marketing Consultant, Helen is returning to the gift and craft sector full-time. “I’m very product-oriented, and I fell in love with the collection at Figured’Art,” said Helen Cottrill. “The quality and innovation is exceptional, and it was no surprise to discover they are market leaders in their field. The attention to detail really elevates the product—and their 175,000 Instagram followers clearly agree. I see so many exciting opportunities ahead.” Anthony Pinna, CoFounder of Figured’Art, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Helen. Her wealth of experience in the gift industry, especially in Marketing, Licensing, and Sales, will be a real asset to our continued growth and development in the UK market.” With Helen’s appointment, Figured’Art is set to strengthen its retail presence and build on its mission to make creative expression accessible and enjoyable for everyone. For further information contact helen.cottrill@figuredart.com RHS COLLABORATES WITH PET BRANDS ON SPECIAL PET ACCESSORIES RANGE The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced a new licensing agreement with Pet Brands Ltd, the UK’s leading pet accessories company, for the first-ever range of RHSbranded accessories for dogs and cats. It’s called Pets in the Garden. Pets in the Garden is a range of stylish, functional and environmentally conscious products, allowing pet owners to enjoy their gardens alongside their pet companions. The initial launch includes leads, collars, beds, toys, treats and bowls, all designed to be durable, useful and appealing to both dogs and cats. Further additions are planned, including coats, shampoos and other accessories. There’s also a strong sustainability element; products across the range use recycled materials and are built to last, ensuring longer replacement times. Wherever possible, Pet Brands has incorporated responsibly sourced materials such as BCI cotton, FSC wood, and recycled filling fibres. This commitment not only reduces environmental impact but also supports a more conscious approach to pet ownership, aligning with the RHS ethos of protecting and nurturing the natural world. This innovative range, produced by Pet Brands alongside the nation’s most respected gardening charity, is not just a delight for pets; its aim is to celebrate the bond between people, their pets and their outdoor spaces. With this in mind, the collection will be brought to life with illustrations, on both the products and packaging, inspired by horticultural and botanical imagery from the RHS Lindley Collections, within which the RHS holds the world’s finest collection of botanical art, containing more than 30,000 superb artworks. www.rhs.org.uk SCOTTISH FINE SOAPS EXPANDS SALES TEAM WITH THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS Scottish Fine Soaps, one of Scotland’s leading bath and skincare brands, has strengthened its sales team with three new appointments in a move that signifies the brands’ expansion strategy into England and Wales. Nicola Murphy has been named Area Sales Manager – South, whilst husband and wife team James and Kirsty Mann Mann join as Area Sales Managers for Midlands and Wales. The appointments come during a milestone year for Scottish Fine Soaps, looking to build on the success of its brand refresh at the start of the year – which included a redesign of its existing best-selling ranges and the introduction of two new product ranges, Oakmoss and Wild Heather. Nicola will play a key role in expanding the luxury brand south of the border. With 20 years’ experience across consumer products, luxury cosmetics, fragrance and pharmaceutical markets, Nicola has worked for some of the biggest industry names including L’Oréal, Neilmed Pharmaceuticals and Agencie de Parfumerie. Nicola, said: “Scottish Fine Soaps embodies everything I value in the beauty industry – authenticity, craftsmanship and a commitment to quality. I’m very excited to bring my experience in both luxury and mass market retail to a beloved brand and grow its exquisite products across the UK.” Meanwhile, Kirsty and James Mann will take the helm for sales across the Midlands and Wales. Both Kirsty and James have worked closely with the brand in the past and will therefore bring together their wealth of knowledge with strong client relationships to their roles. James says: “Kirsty and I have been running Phoenix Agencies for more than 15 years serving the gift industry, offering trusted expertise and strong partnerships to our retailers and suppliers. Based in the midlands, we provide dedicated coverage across the region, supporting retailers with quality products and exceptional service. We can’t wait to meet all our Scottish Fine Soaps customers.” Jane Austin, Head of Sales for Scottish Fine Soaps, said: “The expansion of our sales team signifies a time of growth and expansion within Scottish Fine Soaps. We’re currently embarking on an ambitious growth strategy, and their expertise and passion will undoubtedly fuel our commitment to modernising and meeting the needs of consumers in a rapidly evolving industry.” www.scottishfinesoaps.com INDUSTRY NEWS 11
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