Tag Archive for: Director

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

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Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA: The Toro Company is pleased to announce that Richard Walne has been named managing director of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for its International Business. In his new role, Walne will have leadership responsibility for the company’s equipment and water businesses in the region with a focus on advancing strategic customer priorities, strengthening its market positions and evolving the portfolio of innovative solutions.

Walne’s impressive career at The Toro Company spans 45 years, during which he has held various roles across the International Business. His journey with Toro began as a technical representative in Europe and from there he has had responsibilities around the world. He held senior marketing and product development roles in the United States, demonstrating great versatility and leadership. He then transitioned to the Asia Pacific, Australia and China (APAC) region, ultimately serving as managing director, APAC, a position he had held since 2000. With a deep passion for helping customers and a proven ability to inspire teams, Walne has made significant contributions to Toro’s growth and success throughout his career which he now brings to the EMEA region.

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Richard Walne appointed as Managing Director of EMEA

Well-known and respected in the golf and premium sport markets for his extensive product knowledge and expertise, Walne played a key role in founding the Asian Golf Industry Federation and continues to drive education as chairperson of the Certificate in Greenkeeping Committee. A passionate supporter of Variety, The Children’s Charity, Walne has participated in the Annual Variety Bash since 2001, raising significant amounts to help children in South Australia who are sick, disadvantaged, or living with disability.

“Richard’s industry knowledge and impressive career at The Toro Company have been nothing short of exceptional,” said Amy Dahl, vice president, International at The Toro Company. “His contributions have significantly shaped our international business across the globe, and his dedication to our customers and teams is unparalleled. We are thrilled that Richard is moving into this role and are confident that he will help expand our market leadership and accelerate growth in this region moving forward.”

Walne will relocate to the United Kingdom over the next few months, marking a return to where he first began his storied career with The Toro Company.

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Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

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Retirement of Barrus Managing Director: The Board of E P Barrus Ltd is announcing that in December 2023 Managing Director, Mr Robert Muir, will retire from his position after 32 years with the company, including more than 11 as Managing Director.

Robert joined Barrus in 1990 from Ransomes Consumer Ltd, where he was Managing Director. He has contributed enormously to the growth and success of Barrus during his tenure. First as a highly capable Finance Director ensuring the financial stability of the company; and then as Sales Director and Managing Director. As well as being a popular leader of the company, he is hugely respected by both Barrus’ suppliers and customers.

Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

Retirement of Barrus Managing Director

Robert was instrumental in taking Barrus into the Garden Tools market, first with Wolf-Garten, then Wilkinson Sword and Town & Country. More recently he has been leading the drive on electrification within the markets that Barrus operates in, not least with the design & building of a hydrogen fuel cell powered inland waterways vessel.

Odgers Berndtson has been appointed to lead the search to identify Robert’s successor.

“It is hard to know where to start to thank Robert for his dedication to Barrus and his friendship to me and my family. There have been some interesting times over the last 32 years and Robert’s unwavering commitment has served us very well” said Robert Glen, Owner of Barrus.

“I have known and worked with Robert for over three decades. He is a tremendous leader and on a personal level, adviser, so I am thrilled that we will retain his wise counsel and expertise as he has agreed to remain on the board of the company as a non-executive director”, said Tara Glen, Barrus Chairman.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tara Glen, E P Barrus Ltd Chairman: tara.glen@barrus.co.uk

Clare Glackin, Odgers Berndtson: clare.glackin@odgersberndtson.com

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New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

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New Managing Director joins STIHL GB: Kay Green has today joined STIHL Great Britain as Managing Director, following the retirement of long-standing predecessor Robin Lennie in December 2020.

For the last three years, Kay has been UK and Ireland Country Manager for Hasbro UK Ltd. During her career at Hasbro, she also held a number of senior commercial roles including director level positions in both sales and marketing, and a two-year period as Nordic Country Manager in Copenhagen.

New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

New Managing Director joins STIHL GB

Kay joins a thriving and resilient STIHL GB, with the business recording over a decade of year-on-year growth and a doubling of turnover from £57m in 2008 to £125m in 2020.

Commenting on her new role, Kay said: “I’m delighted to be joining this iconic global brand and to be building on Robin’s tremendous legacy. 2020 was a record year for STIHL GB, despite the global circumstances. The business saw growth across most markets and categories thanks to the support and commitment of the STIHL Approved Dealer network and of course our professional and domestic end-users. I’m very much looking forward to meeting our partners across the industry as soon as the situation allows.

It’s a genuinely exciting time to be taking the helm at STIHL GB. We have a game-changing new range of pro cordless tools launching this year, continued investment in consumer brand-building and plans continuing apace for our sustainable new GB Headquarters in Surrey. 2021 has all the potential to be another landmark year for the brand and our customers.”

Kay is STIHL GB’s first female Managing Director and joins an ever-increasing number of women in senior positions across the global STIHL business. Kay spent her childhood growing up on a farm and is married with two teenage children.

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

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Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director: Toptracer has announced the appointment of David Cederholm as the company’s new EMEA Sales Director as the business continues its global expansion.

Cederholm, who joins the company with a wealth of experience across several different industries, will be tasked with overseeing sales strategy and the overall growth of Toptracer Range across the region.

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

Toptracer appoints EMEA Sales Director

“We are delighted to welcome David to his new role at Toptracer,” commented Ben Sharpe, Toptracer President. “His experience in helping to implement technology to elevate businesses to the next level is something that really resonated with us.”

“We look forward to seeing the impact that David will have as we continue to accelerate our worldwide growth and help golf ranges and facilities turn their offerings into modern, forward-thinking entertainment destinations – and in turn, offer the tech driven experience the consumer now expects.”

A lifelong golfer currently playing off a handicap of 4, the role represents his first steps into the industry having garnered a wealth of experience leading sales strategies across sectors.

Cederholm began his career at Just Eat in 2006 as one of just four employees in the UK. He was with the company for six years, in which time orders grew from 100 a month to over a million, and saw the team grow to over 600 people. He led the sales function in the first nine of 13 eventual international market entries.

After leaving Just Eat, Cederholm started and scaled two other start-ups from day one of market entry: one in fashion, the other in automotive.

Since then, he’s worked on market expansion in the app-based taxi business and, most recently, returned to the takeaway food world with a SaaS platform that allows owners to take control of their own business and customer retention.

“The common element between these different verticals was it was all about selling change into traditional owner/operator businesses, where the introduction of technology and then user expectation drove change – something they had previously been reticent to adopt,” commented Cederholm.

“That’s something that I see as a common link with Toptracer Range, and the goals that I am aiming to implement in my new role. There’s an exciting, technology-led future for the golf and entertainment industries, and I will look to drive that forward with Toptracer Range at the forefront of the revolution.”

ABOUT TOPGOLF ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Topgolf Entertainment Group is a global sports and entertainment community that connects people in meaningful ways through the experiences we create, the innovation we champion and the good that we do. What began as a technology that enhanced the game of golf now encompasses a range of unmatched experiences where communities can discover common ground at brand expressions including Topgolf venues, Lounge by Topgolf, Toptracer, Toptracer Range, Topgolf Swing Suite, Topgolf Studios, Topgolf Live, World Golf Tour (WGT) by Topgolf and Driving for Good.

ABOUT TOPTRACER RANGE

Toptracer Range, a brand expression from Topgolf Entertainment Group, connects communities of fans in meaningful ways by equipping driving ranges with Toptracer technology that offers an interactive and social experience that is perfect for all levels. With real-time data, players can compete in a variety of games, improve their skills or simply be introduced to the game of golf.

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Ariens’ New Director of Sales EMEAA

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Ariens’ New Director of Sales EMEAA: Ariens Company  can confirm the appointment of Jackie Williams to the role of Director of Sales EMEAA. She will be coming into the role to succeed John Horn, who will be retiring from the Ariens Company at the end of 2018. Jackie, who will report to Vice President of EMEAA, Darren Spencer, brings a wealth of experience to the company and will assume responsibility for sales and distribution of Ariens products through Ariens subsidiaries located in the U.K. and Norway, and Ariens fifty plus distribution partners worldwide. 

Jackie joins Ariens having built a successful career over twenty-five years in international sales and distribution management.

Ariens' New Director of Sales EMEAA

“We’re very pleased to have Jackie become part of the Ariens Company team,” says Darren Spencer, “she brings vast experience of multi-channel product sales and distribution across all continents, at an exciting time in the development of Ariens’ EMEAA expansion.”

Reporting in turn to Jackie will be Ariens European Sales Manager, Massimo Caner, Matt Wilson, UK Sales Manager and Scandinavia General Manager Frank Brenn. Jackie’s previous role was International Sales Director of Derwent, a division of ACCO UK Ltd, achieving year on year growth in sales and profitability. She holds post-graduate diplomas in Marketing, Export Marketing and Business Studies & Finance, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Ariens Company is a family owned business that has built a reputation for engineering excellence, manufacturing Ariens products in the US since 1933. The fundamental principle driving the design of every Ariens product remains the same today: building hard-working, reliable tools that are passed on from generation to generation.

Ariens Company Limited manufactures the Countax and Westwood garden tractors. The business also distributes ECHO outdoor power tools and the Ariens lawn, garden and snow products through a network of UK dealers.

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