MEET THE JUDGES
Introducing our panel of industry experts who will be judging the retailer categories…
Daniel Todaro, Managing Director, Gekko
A regular contributor to ERT Magazine ‘tech champion’ Daniel formed field marketing agency Gekko in 2002 and since then it has grown to be one of the leading companies in its field, working with technology and leisure brands.
Steve May, Freelance Technology Journalist
Freelance technology journalist Steve May, as well as contributing to ERT, writes for a variety of popular publications and consumer websites including writes for a variety of popular publications and consumer websites including the i paper, Home Cinema Choice, T3, TechRadar and Trusted Reviews. He is also the Editor of Inside CI, a trade publication for the custom install industry.
Clare Newsome, Marketing Director, Naim Audio Limited
Clare is an industry specialist in marketing, media and PR with over 25 years of experience. Her current role at Naim Audio sees her leading global brand, product and retail marketing for the British audio specialist. Her knowledge of supply and distribution within the technology industry makes Clare’s expertise invaluable for independent retailers.
Richard Stevenson Director, RS PR
Richard has been in the electrical goods industry since 1981, where at the tender age of 14 he worked Saturdays for Ketts, where his father was a Director. After university he went to work for an independent in Cheam, Surrey – a ‘temporary’ job that lasted five years before he joined ERT (Weekly) magazine in 1997. Seven years later, and as the Managing Editor of ERT, ERM, The Smart Show and Switched On Mail on Sunday supplement, Richard became a freelance writer and PR man to the hi-fi industry. A decade and a half later, he still runs RS PR Media Solutions agency, tests and reviews white goods for Trusted Reviews, writes for Home Cinema Choice and is Consultant Editor on Retra Alert magazine.
Paul Hide Director of Markets and Membership, techUK
Paul’s sector and commercial experience spans Sales, Marketing, Operational and General Management spanning over 25 years in B2C, B2B and B2G technology industries, having played a leading involvement in many consumer technology milestones that have delivered the analogue to digital technology transition of the past three decades.
Paul has worked for the technology industry body, techUK, since 2014; working in partnership with members and stakeholders to help shape the future of UK based tech, sustaining a vibrant industry.
Paul is also a Trustee of the Electrical Safety Board, a Non-Executive Director of Certsure, an Elected Governor of Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust, a Business Start-Up mentor and a Race Commissaire for British Cycling.
Paul has worked for the technology industry body, techUK, since 2014; working in partnership with members and stakeholders to help shape the future of UK based tech, sustaining a vibrant industry.
Paul is also a Trustee of the Electrical Safety Board, a Non-Executive Director of Certsure, an Elected Governor of Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust, a Business Start-Up mentor and a Race Commissaire for British Cycling.
Andrew Denham, Director, Nostralis Business Consultants
With commercial experience which spans over 30 years Andrew started out on the shop floor of an independent electrical retailer in Leicester, this sparked a passion for the consumer electronics industry where he built his career. He has enjoyed senior commercial roles in sales, marketing, brand strategy and general management, as Managing Director at Panasonic.
Andrew now runs a business consultancy focused on helping SMEs improve their productivity and performance and is also a Trustee and Director of BCSC sports club, member of London Tech Advocates and mentor to business start-ups and SMEs.
Andrew now runs a business consultancy focused on helping SMEs improve their productivity and performance and is also a Trustee and Director of BCSC sports club, member of London Tech Advocates and mentor to business start-ups and SMEs.
Charlotte Graham-Cumming Director, Varia Solutions
Charlotte is a senior marketing professional who specialises in working with technology, retail, supply chain and print companies with global experience in B2B and B2C marketing. Her areas of expertise include leveraging growth through data. She has recently contributed a series of articles to ERT on GDR compliance. In 2015, she wrote a chapter on marketing for bestselling book From Small Business to Big Business and in 2013 she was a finalist in the Business Woman of the Year Awards.
Matthew Todd, Partner, Herbert Todd & Son
Matthew started helping out within the family business – Herbert Todd & Son – from a young age and after a post-graduation world tour to “find himself” he returned to York and has headed up the company’s retail division ever since. Under his leadership the company has gone from strength to strength, increasing headcount, outlet numbers and turnover levels while still holding onto the company’s central principle of great customer service.
Herbert Todd & Son won not just one, but three awards at the ERT Awards last year – including the coveted Independent Electrical Retailer of the Year award – proving how versatile, energetic and forward-thinking the company is. Matthew comes from an award-winning business and, therefore, he knows what it takes to succeed.