HYVE GROUP PROMOTES NICOLA MEADOWS TO DIVISIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR Hyve Group plc has announced the appointment of Nicola Meadows as its new Divisional Managing Director for the Retail, Manufacturing and Engineering Division. Nicola joined Hyve in August last year as Portfolio Director for Spring & Autumn Fair, soon adding Glee and fashion events Pure London and Scoop to her remit and taking on leadership responsibility for the entire Retail portfolio. Mark Shashoua, CEO Hyve Group plc says, “During her time with us so far, Nicola has shown herself to be a strong and calm leader for her team and she is currently overseeing the rollout of Connect on the Spring and Autumn Fair portfolio. It’s her connection with Hyve’s ‘why’ that really makes her the ideal candidate for this role. I am very much looking forward to working with her to maximise the portfolio’s potential and create even more game-changing impact for our retail, manufacturing and engineering customer communities.” Nicola Meadows adds, “I feel honoured to be guiding such established events through an exciting time for the industry, working alongside incredibly talented and passionate teams. We are transforming the future of events with the launch of Connect at Spring & Autumn Fair, and our aim is to generate higher returns on investment for our exhibitors and an unrivalled return on time and experience for visitors across the entire division. It is our role to provide the best platforms to showcase great products and innovation as well as nurture the brands and retailers of the future to ensure continued business success.” Scotland’s Trade Fair news Scotland’s Trade Spring Fair saw returning confidence in the market with exhibitors and buyers in an upbeat, positive frame of mind at this key buying show for the gift market. Off the back of a successful retail season in 2022 in Scotland, buyers are feeling very positive about the year ahead and the leads and orders generated reflected this. Tourism is one of the key drivers of the gift market in Scotland and the early indicators for this year are very positive once again. Richard Wallace from new exhibitor Glen Ogal said: “This has been a fantastic few days for us, with many orders written, new stockists secured and new leads established. It is a great start to the year.” One highlight of the show was the Best Product awards judged by retail experts Sarah Gordon from Luss General Store, Charmaine Fox from Caulders Garden Centres and Amy McCusker from Wee Box. They were impressed by the standard of the entrants as well as the pricepoints, design and creativity, making choosing winners very difficult. Amy McCusker said: “From innovative design to stylish gifts, the entrants and winners of the awards alike should be proud. It is inspiring to see the industry pushing the envelope and emerging from two years of the pandemic with renewed determination.” The winners are listed below. The Talking Shop Seminar Theatre hosted a series of wellattended informative and relevant talks on all aspects of retailing, including masterclasses on social media and online content, panel discussions with leading influencers and the ever- favourite Nessie’s Den, where new young companies pitch to retailers in a light-hearted session. The Show was also delighted to welcome a visit from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism & Enterprise, who toured the show and spoke about support for Scottish businesses. Best Product Award Winners Cards and stationery Gold – The Wee Book Company – children’s book Silver – Pop Up Designs – light up birthday card Bronze – Pink Pig – cards Home & Gift Gold – Fiona Matheson Studio – Block in a Box Silver – Love Scottish Candles – natural wax candle Bronze – D&C Supplies – Highland cow hot water bottle Textiles, Jewellery and Fashion Accessories Gold – Amy Britton – Harris tweed and recycled plastic laptop case Silver – Glen Ogal – Bamboo sunglasses Bronze – Nixey -Sporran handbag Launch Gallery Gold – Lin Pin Crafts – needle felting starter kit Silver – The Ink Balm – nature’s butter for tattooed skin Bronze – Victoria Gordon Art – stag tea towel The 2024 Show is from 21st –23rd January 2024, while the Autumn Show is on the earlier date of 20th –21st August 2023. For more information, visit: www.scotlandstradefairs.com 16
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=