The North East crafting company launched by TV Dragon Sara Davies has appointed a new CEO to support its growth strategy.
Ms Davies launched the Newton Aycliffe business in 2005 when she was studying for a business degree at York University and, together with husband Simon, she has grown the company to become a £38m turnover operation employing more than 200 people and exporting paper craft products all around the world.
Now the firm has announced it has appointed Mark Allsop, a former senior team member at Curry’s plc, as its new CEO as it looks to the future. Before joining the global craft retailer, Mr Allsop was chief operating officer and chief development officer at Currys plc, where he was responsible for developing and leading the company’s omnichannel, data and technology strategy across both physical and digital retail.
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He has extensive experience in digital transformation, technology and data insight and throughout his expansive career has held senior positions at NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures and Merlin Entertainments. In his new role, Mr Allsop will be responsible for overseeing the next phase of growth for Crafter’s Companion, which will focus on the combined multichannel strengths of its TV and ecommerce platforms, while showcasing its products to millions of customers across Europe, the US and beyond.
He replaces former CEO Simon Davies, who is staying with the organisation as executive director, overseeing the company’s global wholesale teams and commercial partnerships. He said: “Crafter’s Companion is a fantastic business with an extremely passionate founder in Sara Davies. It’s rare to find a business that has such potential, ambition and capacity for growth as Crafter’s Companion. It was an unmissable opportunity to join as its new CEO.
“I’m excited to lead a team of passionate crafting and commercial experts to deliver a truly omnichannel business, underpinned with an impressive brand portfolio, whilst bolstering our product and service offerings for our millions of highly-engaged and loyal customers.”
Ms Davies, founder and creative director, added: “The search for a new CEO was an extensive one. We needed somebody who completely understood our company and its values but also someone who has the tenacity and drive to support us in achieving our full potential. In Mark, I believe we have found the perfect fit.”
David Stern, chairman, added: “It’s a very exciting time at Crafter’s Companion, there are so many fantastic projects in the pipeline and plans to secure the future growth of the company. I’m thrilled that we have Mark on board.”
Meanwhile, monthly one-to-one business mentoring sessions with Ms Davies are up for grabs as part of Amazon’s latest Prime Day experiences, taking place on July 11 and 12.
One Prime customer will be able to buy Amazon’s small business support ‘experience’ which will see them travel to the Crafter’s Companion offices in Newton Aycliffe, with accommodation and travel expenses covered by Amazon, for a face-to-face meeting to take place this summer. The customer will have shared their business plan and questions ahead of the meeting, which Ms Davies will read and plot out their initial consultation.
Following the face-to-face session, the customer will then have five monthly hour-long Zoom meetings with Ms Davies to check on progress, discuss notes and talk through ways to help optimise their business.
