Page 12 - HW March 2022

hard news
Movers & shakers in the hardware channel
Sean Crowley has left KnK Architectural Hardware to take up the role of GM at family-owned bespoke shower company Crest Showers. Sean was GM at KnK Architectural Hardware for the last
three years and spent almost five years at Windsor Brass before that as Director of Business Development and National Sales Manager.
Laura Gemmell, former director of Global Public Engagement Partnerships at World Vision International, has taken up
the CE role at
Environmental Choice New Zealand in this its 30th year. ECNZ Chair Andy Hill says Laura’s strong background in public engagement and reputation management at one of the world’s largest NGOs will benefit the future of Environmental Choice New Zealand. “Laura stood out for her proven leadership in the not- for-profit space, and her values-driven approach to stakeholder engagement.”
Bruce McEwen will now remain in
his role as Chief Executive of Fletcher Building’s New Zealand Distribution division. This follows the decision by Teresa Rendo, who had previously been announced in the position, to withdraw from the role due to personal reasons. Fletcher Building CE Ross Taylor says: “Given the change in circumstances,
we are fortunate that Bruce has agreed
to remain in his current role. He has a track record and deep experience as the chief executive of Distribution for the past several years. Having put in place an ambitious five-year plan, under Bruce’s leadership, our Distribution business has established strong momentum and built a solid platform to deliver performance and growth in line with our strategy.”
Mike Roberts, GM at Fox & Gunn for the last two years, and MD at Kärcher for almost 10 years before that, is joining Husqvarna New Zealand as Country Manager. Mike is replacing Colin Stimpson who is retiring at the end
of March after a very successful 16+
year career within Husqvarna senior management in the Pacific region.
Based in Auckland Mike will have a dedicated focus on the future growth and development of the Husqvarna brand in the New Zealand.
Nicole Sheffield
(Managing
Director, Data
& Digital,
Wesfarmers) has
been appointed
as the Australian
Retailers
Association’s
first female President. As well as now boasting equal representation of women under changes announced to the ARA Council, Drew Meads (Board Chair and Franchisee, Forty Winks) has also been appointed officially as Treasurer after serving the last few years as Acting Treasurer.
of another Hamilton business, namely leading indie advertising agency, Bettle & Associates.
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions NZ welcomes four new members to its Retail Sales team. Each of them has over a decade in sales and they all bring a wealth of expertise in territory, sales management & key accounts, and aim
to add value to their customers’ businesses.
Previously
Head of Sales
at Techtronic Industries, Mark Boswell is the new Retail Sales Director.
Jamie Hickey is the new Retail Sales Representative looking after the Lower North, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty. Jamie was previously Territory Manager at Kiwicare.
Jim Gifford (below left) joins as Retail
Joeli Vidiri, who sadly passed earlier this month, was one of rugby’s stars, shining brightly alongside Jonah Lomu for but a short time. After he retired from rugby aged 27, Joeli was a much-loved member of another team, at Mitre 10 MEGA Pukekohe (as above).
Merv Williams, GM Marketing at Holdfast and then Soudal NZ for the last five plus years, is the new Brand & PR Manager at Gallagher Security. He will be “working with our global markets to support and drive brand awareness and sales growth and share the story
of our market leading technology.” Before Holdfast/Soudal, Merv was GM
Sales Representative for the South Island and has also just left Kiwicare where he was Key Account Manager.
Philip Kemp (above right) joins as Retail Sales Representative for the Upper North, Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Coromandel. Philip was previously Territory Manager at STOL.
10 NZHJ | MARCH 2022
MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz