The Nigel Quiney Publications and Paper Rose sales teams are to be merged. From 24 August, the new merged Nigel Quiney/Paper Rose sales team will offer products from both companies to the two companies’ collective independent retail customers. The sales team will continue to be a mix of full-time sales territory managers and agents, dependent on the geographical area. (Grass Roots however will continue to be represented by sales agents.)
This forms part of an ongoing restructuring within the Paper Design Group, which acquired the Simon Elvin group (which includes Nigel Quiney Publications, Paper Rose, Glick, Polytint and Simon Elvin) at the start of the year. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/simon-elvin-group-acquired-by-paper-design-group-headed-up-by-ian-jackson/)
Ian Jackson, ceo of Paper Design Group explained that “sadly” the restructure “has resulted in some redundancies within Paper Rose, and we would like to thank all those involved for their hard work and loyalty over the past years.”
Explaining the rationale behind the group’s changing structure, Ian said: “While many of these changes were part of our long-term strategy, the impact of Covid-19 on the retail sector has undoubtedly accelerated their implementation. Regrettably, to protect the businesses from the possibility of even tougher times ahead, we needed to act now rather than later.”
As part of this, Reggie Pugh, who has been creative director of Paper Rose for the last 16 years, is to leave the business in October.
Paying tribute to Reggie, Ian stressed how she has “played a key role in developing the Paper Rose ranges over the past 16 years. Everyone at Paper Rose wishes her well for the future.”
Reggie’s departure comes five months after Nigel Willcock (Paper Rose’s sales and marketing director) was made redundant just prior to lockdown and has since become a sales agent. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/senior-management-changes-at-paper-rose/).
Continuing her expanded role, Alison Butterworth (previously md of Nigel Quiney) is to now also manage sales and product development for both Paper Rose and Nigel Quiney, with John Lowey overseeing finance and operations in both businesses. Alison will be supported in the management of the companies’ larger retail customers by Jenny Weare, previously national accounts manager of Nigel Quiney Publications.
Ian Jackson told PG Buzz that the “intention is that Paper Rose will remain as a self-trading entity in Nottingham, distributing Paper Rose and Grass Roots” while Nigel Quiney will continue to operate from Saffron Walden.
Commenting on trading generally, Ian added: “Overall the Group is trading remarkably well, given what we have all been living through. Each business has its own good and bad news… mostly dictated by the retail sector that they are supplying. I am supported by a fantastic senior management team, who have all ‘stood up to the plate’ in these unprecedented times. ”
Top: A Nigel Quiney stand at Spring Fair.
