Bira Direct Welcomes Trade Marketing Manager and Sales Support Exec
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has strengthened its Bira Direct buying group team with two major new appointments - Claire Leigh as Trade Marketing Manager and Lisa Richardson as Sales Support and Business Development Executive.
Claire and Lisa bring a wealth of retail and marketing experience that will directly benefit Bira's community of independent retailers. Their roles will focus on enhancing member communications, supplier relations, promotions, and overall support.
Claire joins Bira Direct after over 30 years working in marketing and retail roles, most recently as the owner of the award-winning independent store Two Ducks in Woking, Surrey.
She said:
"I'm absolutely thrilled to be taking on this new role at Bira Direct. Having been an independent retailer myself, I understand the challenges these businesses face and how important strong supplier relationships and effective marketing are. I look forward to utilising my experience to provide Bira members with the resources and promotions to help them succeed."
As Trade Marketing Manager, Claire will be responsible for the Bira Direct website promotions hub, coordinating member promotions, managing the B2B platform, and facilitating supplier partner communications.
Joining her is Lisa Richardson, who brings over 25 years of experience in the DIY and hardware industry to her new position as Sales Support and Business Development Executive. Lisa’s main focuses will include following up on email campaigns, processing review forms, monitoring changes, and managing member communications.
"After many years in the supplier side of the industry, I'm excited to take on this new challenge of supporting independent retailers directly,"
she said.
"Bira Direct's mission of empowering these businesses by providing access to great suppliers, terms and marketing resonates with me. I can't wait to get started helping our members maximize the benefits available to them."
Jeff Moody, Managing Director for Bira Direct, welcomed the new additions, and said:
"Claire and Lisa are outstanding hires for us who clearly share our passion for the independent retail sector. Their collective skills and insight will be pivotal in elevating our service levels and ensuring our members have the tools and resources they need to thrive."
Bira Direct is the buying group tailored specifically for independent retailers by Bira, the long-standing advocate for independent businesses. As a member-owned group, all profits get reinvested to support independent retailers like specialized supplier access, credit terms, exclusive discounts and more.
https://bira.co.uk/