John Rothery Wholesale (JRW) recently marked two significant milestones, celebrating the remarkable contributions of two of its employees. Lesley Bishop, general manager, has retired after 23 years of dedicated service, while Nigel Acton is being honoured for his extraordinary 40-year tenure with the company.
Lesley Bishop, the beloved general manager at JRW, joined the company in October 2001 as an administration assistant and has been a pivotal figure in the company’s growth and success.
Sean O’Driscoll, managing director of JRW, lauded Bishop’s invaluable contributions, saying, “Lesley has dedicated years of exceptional service to JRW and the shooting community, providing strategic leadership and invaluable counsel to myself. Her commitment to our heritage and customers, and her contributions to the foundation of our growth and success, have been significant. We are thankful for the dedication and leadership she has shown during her time with us.”
Bishop’s departure marks the beginning of a new chapter, as she looks forward to spending more time travelling and with her family. Reflecting on her impact, O’Driscoll added, “Lesley first shared her retirement plans with me two years ago, and we have spent the last 24 months preparing for her departure, ensuring we have sufficient cover and expertise to continue as normal. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence JRW for many years to come. She will be greatly missed by our entire team and all our customers from around the world. Living just around the corner from our offices, I am sure Lesley will pop in for the occasional cup of tea and catch-up. Our door will always be open.”
In an era where long-term employment is becoming rare, Nigel Acton’s 40 years of service with the company stands out as a remarkable achievement. Acton, who started in a temporary role after college, quickly found his place at JRW and has remained ever since, experiencing every department within the warehouse and eventually becoming a supervisor.
Over his four decades, Acton has witnessed JRW evolve from a small regional wholesaler to an international distributor serving over 800 customers globally each month. His role has been crucial in driving operational efficiencies, including overseeing three major warehouse relocations. The most recent move, 12 years ago, saw JRW settle into a 32,000 square foot facility in Waterlooville, Hampshire. Acton played a key role in ensuring the transition from Petersfield was seamless, with the business closing on a Friday and resuming operations the following Monday. His meticulous attention to detail and leadership have significantly enhanced JRW’s performance and set higher standards within the team.
“Nigel’s dedication and contributions have been vital to our culture and success. He is the backbone of the company, the go-to guy when things get a little tough or when we need an extra push,” said O’Driscoll. “We are immensely grateful for his four decades of service and the significant impact he has made at JRW.”
John Rothery Wholesale introduces new counter mats for bisley and Parker-Hale
John Rothery Wholesale has rolled out new counter mats for retailers of Bisley and Parker-Hale products. These stylish mats are the latest in a series of Point Of Sale (POS) items from the Hampshire-based company, all designed to enhance how products are presented and perceived in stores.
These counter mats are key tools in creating an attractive display that can draw in customers and potentially drive sales. This offer is part of a broader strategy to help retailers improve their in-store branding and customer engagement. The introduction of these counter mats is just one example of how the company is working to ensure its retail partners have everything they need to succeed.
For more details on the new counter mats and other POS branding items from John Rothery Wholesale, retailers are encouraged to get in touch with their account managers or visit the company’s website.
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www.bisley-uk.com