Door Industry Journal - Summer 2021

41 THE door industry journal summer 2021 Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Industry News Meet Ellard’s External Sales Team! Many in the industry will know Matthew Berry. Matthew was our National Sales Manager and had worked for NRG and Ellard for 8 years. Matthew has good relationships throughout the industry and always worked hard for all his customers. He has now decided to take on his next challenge at a new job opportunity and will be missed by everyone at Ellard. After Matthew’s departure our Ellard external sales team consists of: Adam Robinson (pictured centre) is the current Business Development Manager for the South of the UK. Adam will now take up the position of National Sales Manager. Adam has worked for Ellard for 7 years and has a lot of experience and expertise. Ashley Woodhead (pictured right) is our Business Development Manager in the North of the UK and will continue to provide a high level of service and support. Ashley has worked for Ellard for 6 years and has excellent product and market knowledge. Nick Lord (pictured left) is our Export Sales Manager and from the beginning of 2021 has moved away from his previous role as Head of Customer Service. This will allow Nick to have a dedicated focus on developing overseas markets. We know he is waiting expectantly for the Government to relax travel restrictions. Lee Chapman is the National Sales Manager for the automation of blinds. Lee started at Ellard just as the global pandemic started and the UK fell into full lockdown. Despite the unprecedented challenges, Lee continued to be positive and develop our range of motors and controls used to automate internal and external blinds. www.ellard.co.uk Fresh Start for Vicki Vicki Hawkes knows what it’s like to operate in a man’s world. The new Area Sales Manager at Strand Hardware has worked in the construction and building products sector for 23 years and is delighted to be joining a company with a woman at the helm. “It was one of the things that most interested me about the job,” she says referring to Strand’s Managing Director Catherine Franks. “Although there are now many more women working in the industry, there are relatively few who are in leadership roles.” Appointed in November 2019, Vicki was just starting her sales activity, covering the southern/eastern half of the Midlands, South Wales, East Anglia and the South of the UK, when the UK went into its first COVID lockdown. Following furlough and a part-time return, Vicki is now back in her full-time role and is keen to highlight the benefits of Strand Hardware’s quality products to distribution, architectural ironmongers and locksmiths. Having worked for Carillion and Assa Abloy UK, she is experienced in many areas of the industry including fleet management, customer services and sales. Most recently Vicki worked for Alpro Hardware Ltd, where she was Area Sales Manager and Technical Support Advisor for the Midlands and South West, selling manual and electrical hardware to distribution and aluminium manufacturers and fabricators. Her experience in this field will hopefully open new doors for Strand Hardware which offers an extensive range of panic hardware, finger protection devices and window openers. “I can see great possibilities working with the aluminium industry. Over the past three or four years, aluminium has become so popular as a versatile and durable alternative to wood and PVC fittings. It also presents great aesthetics which would be an ideal blend with the products that we offer,” she adds. Vicki’s work achievements include the awarding of an Excellence Certificate during her time at Carillion, an employee of the year award from Yale which she received following her first year in sales out on the road and two years’ qualifications from the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers – one of which she passed with distinction. For more information about Strand Hardware’ extensive range of products visit: www.strandhardware.co.uk/ or email: info@strandhardware.co.uk Image left to right: Nick Lord, Adam Robinson, Ashley Woodhead