What More makes changes at the top following year of growth

As another year of intense growth draws to a close, What More UK announces a change in directorship.

Roger Tout has worked for What More UK since 2000, having joined the business the year after it was founded. In his 16 years as Operations Director, Roger has had overall responsibility for the warehousing and despatch of all What More UK orders, both to customers across the UK and internationally.

At the age of 56, Roger feels the time is right to retire. He said, “It’s time to pass the reins over to a younger man. I’m excited to see the next generation come through. Garry’s promotion to director also sends a message to staff across the organisation that with hard work they can make it into the top jobs.

What More UK Director Tony Grimshaw OBE said of Roger: “He is not just a brick in the wall that is What More; Roger is part of the foundations.”

Roger will also continue to offer support to his successor, former Works Manager Garry Ireland.

Garry is looking forward to taking up his new Operations Director role in January. He said, “We have a great team across all departments at What More UK. I have worked closely with the link between production and warehouse, and in my new role I will focus on the link between operations and sales. It’s my goal to help strengthen the team for a successful 2017.

During the course of 2016, What More UK has added 66 products to its plastics and homewares ranges, and a further 50 products to its bakeware and Wham Cook ranges. The business has also begun exporting to five new countries including Vietnam and Guatemala, and hopes to extend its reach to a total of 80 countries in the next 12 months. The first quarter of 2017 will see What More UK attend three homewares trade exhibitions in the UK, Frankfurt and Chicago. By spring the manufacturer may well be celebrating its first award win of 2017 too, having been shortlisted in two categories of the Housewares Innovation Awards taking place in February.