Industry Moves Engino welcomes Christopher Watts Christopher Watts has joined Engino to lead sales in the UK & Ireland, and will have a strategic input across all international markets for the company. As a toy industry veteran, Christopher has held senior UK and international roles at Meccano, Playmobil, Corgi, Epoch and most recently with Click Distribution. Founded in 2004 by Costas Sisamos, Engino believes its system is one of the most advanced and versatile threedimensional construction toys in the market today, with a system of multi-faceted rods and connectors that share unique geometrical features that allow connectivity on up to six sides simultaneously. Engino is one of the fastest growing companies in the field of STEM & Robotics, and has invested significantly to establish a European fully automated factory, introducing vertical integration from conception to manufacturing and retail. Founder Costas Sisamos commented: “Christopher has joined Engino at an exciting time, we’re investing significantly in new product and continuing to expand into new markets. Our support in the UK from both retail and the education channels has been very encouraging, and the experience that Christopher brings to his new role as VP Sales will ensure the continued momentum and ongoing support for the omnichannel appeal of our STEM focused product ranges.” Christopher added: “I’m thrilled to be joining the company at this point of its evolution. With the growing emphasis on STEM learning within the education curriculum, Engino’s range focused on products that deliver true STEM content to match in a fun and engaging way is being very well received.”
Rainbow Designs announces new senior sales appointments Rainbow Designs has strengthened its sales team with the appointment of a new national accounts controller as well as a successful internal promotion to field sales team leader. Gary Hughes, who is the new national accounts controller, has extensive experience in both the publishing and toy sectors, most recently managing the games category at Winning Moves across the high street and independents. “I am thrilled to be joining the Rainbow family and feel like I’ve found a new home here,” he said. “Managing the nursery category, in addition to the toy and gift sectors, will be new for me, but with such a beautiful range of products, I am convinced that the future holds great opportunities and I’m really excited about taking the Rainbow brands and expanding them even further with our partners,” said Gary. Mandy McGough, who has been with Rainbow for five years and successfully developed the Northern sales territory, has been promoted to field sales team leader to help the team strive for, and deliver, Rainbow’s growth ambition. Speaking of the new appointments, sales and marketing director Zara Grindrod said she believes that the business is beautifully equipped, with both expertise and a bestselling product range, to deliver another great year. “Kicking off 2022 with Gary at the helm of our National Accounts base is going to be a huge benefit for us, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what we can achieve this year. Mandy absolutely deserves her promotion, she has worked really hard in the last few years and is a great ambassador for Rainbow, with great passion for our brands and products, and therefore the perfect candidate to head up the field sales team,” she said.
Emily Catchpole joins Asmodee as new business development executive Emily Catchpole has joined the Asmodee National Sales team as new business development executive, working across national accounts and exploring new avenues to drive the company’s games into the hands of even more consumers. Emily worked in the book industry from 2005 before becoming Games and Puzzles buyer at Waterstones. She brings with her a wealth of experience in retail, having started in store as a bookseller and working her way up to store manager before moving across to the head office. She possesses a breadth of knowledge regarding what works in retail, from the shop floor to the buying office, plus the intricacies of selling games in a non-specialist space. Emily said: “I’m thrilled to be part of this brilliant team, looking forward to the new challenges that a sales role will bring and working first-hand with the games that I love.” Asmodee director Anil Boodhoo added: “With her vast knowledge of games and the wider industry, Emily is a brilliant asset to the National Sales Team. We wish her every success as she embarks on her career with us at Asmodee.” James Arnold, head of Marketing at Asmodee, commented: “Emily is an important addition to the team and has hit the ground running already. The work that she’ll undertake will get more people talking about and playing our board games, ensuring they become household names for generations to come.”
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