Industry Moves

Casdon Toys’ Roger Howard retires after 45 years’ service

Roger joined the team at Blackpool-headquartered Casdon as an office junior in July 1976, aged just 16, and just a few years later was put in charge of the warehouse and sales office. He has been heading up UK sales since 2000 and has had a rich record at the business, seeing it grow from a UK operation to the international business it is today. The toy company, well-known its range of best-selling role-play toys celebrated its 75th anniversary in June. Becoming an extended part of the Cassidy family along the path of his career, Roger said he has many fond memories of his time with Casdon: “I have worked with some great people past and present and have watched the company change and grow over the years. I’ve built up some great relationships with both customers and fellow workers and would like to wish all at Casdon the very best for future success.” Following his retirement in June, he said he was looking forward to getting away on a sunny holiday, once restrictions allow, and enjoying the relaxation. Phil Cassidy, managing director of Casdon, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Roger so much for his unrelenting commitment and loyalty to Casdon for 45 years. Not many people can say they started a job at 16 and have continued to work in the same business right through to retirement. This is an achievement he should be very proud of. Roger’s hard work over four decades has been instrumental to Casdon’s continued success and we thank him so much for this. He was not only a great employee he has become a friend and family member.”

Anyone who would like to wish Roger well in his retirement can contact him at: rogerhoward20@yahoo.com.

Jeremy Pateman joins toys2market

Jeremy has joined toys2market as senior national account manager, starting from 1st July 2021.

Speaking of the appointment, founder James Triptree commented: “I am delighted that Jeremy, with all his toy industry experience, has decided to join toys2market. With his many years in the toy trade, he will be invaluable to the business. Jeremy is very enthusiastic and looking forward to the challenge and taking the fantastic toys2market product ranges we have to market.”

Jeremy added: “toys2market has a great product range which suits many channels of distribution. Having known James for many years, I am very pleased to join the toys2market team in an exciting new venture. With the toys2market team’s combined experience, we have a fantastic opportunity and are very optimistic that our retail partners will be keen to be on board.”

The new company website is now live and interested parties seeking more information can access it at toys2market.com.

Kids International Marketing appoints James Triptree

Kids International Marketing has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of James Triptree to manage key accounts. James is well known across the UK toy trade having managed the Sales Partnership for over 20 years. In his new role, he joins Nigel Deacon (UK sales manager) and McCabe Marketing & Sales, which manages the company’s business in Ireland.

The appointment follows James’ recent announcement of his new company, toys2market, which will provide a broad range of services to toy and games manufacturers and suppliers. James is planning to work with both British and European suppliers who seek representation within the UK. Other services offered by toys2market will include overseeing national and key accounts, and this will be done via a network of agents.

Kim Carter of Kids International Marketing commented: “We are delighted to have recruited James to our team. His detailed knowledge of certain sectors of retail will be of great benefit to us and our customers.”

Kids International Marketing (KIM) recently confirmed it was partnering with Cuckoo Ltd to support local supply of four of its key brands: Quercetti, GeoPuzzle, Chameleon Kidz, and Bubabloon. In addition, KIM markets its successful Pugs at Play brand on an FOB only basis.

Will Abigail sets up WA Agencies

Will Abigail has announced that he is setting up a new sales agency, WA Agencies, bringing over two decades of experience to customers. WA Agencies will cover East Anglia and its neighbouring counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Greater London. Will is also happy to consider a wider area of coverage if required. Will started in the toy industry in June 1999 as a trainee buyer at Roy’s of Wroxham, before moving on to Westgate Department Stores from 2006 to 2009. He then enjoyed a brief spell at McColls before joining Jarrolds in 2010.

He moved into the sales side of the toy business in July 2014, acting as maternity cover at John Crane Toys for six months before joining Paul Lamond Games in January 2015. Will then joined Toymaster in September 2015 as development manager, signing a number of new members inside the first 12 months, before joining Marbel/Toynamics in September 2017.

Will told Toy World: “I’m excited to announce that I am taking this next step as a sales agent. I’ve accrued 22 years’ experience in the toy industry on both sides of the fence, and I’m now taking that experience to my customers with a new agency built on honesty and trust. If anyone wants to find out more, drop me a line – I’m happy to help.”

Will can be contacted on 07955 283 490 or will.abigail@yahoo.co.uk.