Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Creative Tops has today (Friday April 8) announced a big change in its management structure.
After 20 years with the housewares supplier, managing director Pat Dawson is handing over the reins to finance director Peter Murphy.
Creative Tops said: ‘Pat has reached a time in her life when she wants to spend more quality time with the family and step back to let others take the lead.’
Pat commented: “Creative Tops is a wonderfully creative company with a very loyal, hardworking team. Although I’m sad to leave, I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved.”
Creative Tops noted that Pat has seen the company achieve ‘tremendous success’, with an annual turnover of over £30 million, focusing on trend-led, co-ordinated tableware ranges. It added that the company was acquired in 2011 by Lifetime Brands, ‘which established new levels of opportunity and growth for the business’.
Pat said: “With the innovation and resources that Lifetime Brands has to offer, the company has enjoyed the many advantages that a truly global company can bring, and is set for an exciting future. Creative Tops is now expanding globally with its terrific product and brand portfolio, along with exciting new routes to market.”
She added that she has great confidence in her successor and the future of the company, and is looking forward to staying on in an advisory capacity.
“Peter Murphy has worked closely with me for a number of years and has the drive, ambition and skills to take the business forward,” she said. “We have collaborated closely together and I have always had respect for his integrity and actions.”
Peter said: “I’ve worked closely with Pat over the years in driving the business forward. I believe that my dedication and experience will lead the company through the challenge of the changing economic climate and ensure the business continues to grow.
“I’m privileged to be offered this position and relish this opportunity. I’m passionate about Creative Tops and have a great respect for the culture and business values that have made it so successful.
“The company is the people; we have a tremendous workforce who are dedicated to supplying our customers with quality designed products and excellent customer service.”
Peter will be supported by commercial director Ian Ball and creative director Aimee Hodgkins, who have both been with the business for over 10 years.
Established in 1996 and based in Northamptonshire, Creative Tops manufactures kitchen and dining products. It produces bespoke tableware and homeware for the retail industry, as well as its own collection of branded products.
The Creative Tops brand family includes British designer Katie Alice; the couture-inspired Mikasa; coffee connoisseur La Cafetière; and heritage brands Victoria and Albert Museum, National Trust and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
