People: New MD for fast-growing baby retailer; Cushman & Wakefield makes senior hire; and more

A baby retailer has appointed a new managing director as it looks set to break into the European nursery market.

Direct2Mum’s finance director, Richard Smith, has been promoted to managing director, as his predecessor Alex Leslie assumes the role of group CEO.

The move reflects the company’s ongoing strategy and investment for further expansion into the parenting, baby and nursery markets within Europe.

Direct2Mum is a fast-growing baby retailer selling baby products from leading nursery brands. It boasts an online retail shop, plus stores in Barnsley at its head office, which opened in 2014, and Brighouse, launched at the end of 2016. Over the last three years it has seen an increase in revenue by over 300%.

Smith brings extensive experience of finance, business management and leadership with previous positions held at Andersens, Asda and LNT.  

He said: “I am thrilled to become managing director and will drive the business forward to achieve our ambitions. With the help and support of the team at Direct2Mum, I am confident that we have all the ingredients for retail excellence and success.”

Direct2Mum is a family-run business launched in 2010 by Alex Leslie and sister Fay Briddon, and its group chairman, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist Professor Graham Leslie.

:::

Ross Firth Cushman and WakefieldCushman & Wakefield has strengthened its office agency team following the appointment of Ross Firth who joins as a senior surveyor.

Firth, who previously worked for Colliers, will be working alongside Adam Cockroft assisting with the firm’s instructions.

Cockroft, partner at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “Ross is a real boost to our team and we are pleased that he has chosen to join us. Last year was a great year for us, particularly in the development and acquisition markets and we anticipate another exciting year for the Yorkshire market in 2017.”

Firth added: “I am very much looking forward to joining the successful office agency team at Cushman & Wakefield in what is an exciting new chapter of my career.  It is a great opportunity to be working alongside such an experienced team and on some of the most high profile schemes in the region whilst further developing the company’s strong track record.”

:::

Guiseley-based Companion has announced a restructure and a new senior management team to drive forward plans to double its share of the UK’s stairlift and accessible bathing markets.

Companion works with private individuals, independent mobility retailers and larger chains offering a fully project managed design and installation service for home adaptations. Following a period of continued growth, the company is on track to make impressive gains in 2017 and has announced a new senior management team to lead a business improvement programme designed to cement its market leading position.

Managing director Clare Brophy said: “We have an ambitious growth strategy in place, focused on increasing our market share and the size of our workforce. David Harrison, our operations manager who is well respected in the industry, has made a huge contribution to our development and will oversee the next phase of our expansion in his new role of sales and marketing director.”

Harrison has extensive experience of working with Companion’s nationwide network of partners and will lead the newly-appointed senior management team comprising: Ian Dysart, senior field sales manager; Karen Stockdill, senior office sales manager; and newly appointed Craig Bagley, senior operations manager.

:::

Listed building products supplier SIG has confirmed that group finance director Doug Robertson will retire as a director of the board at the end of January and will leave the group on February 28 following a handover period.

Mr Robertson will be succeeded by Nick Maddock, who will be joining the group on January 23 and will be appointed as a director of the board.

Close