Autumn Fair baptism for new national account manager and sales coordinator
There are two new faces at The Art File who jumped straight on at the deep end of the greeting card industry by being introduced to customers at Autumn Fair this week.
Nichola Lambert is just three weeks into her role as national account manager for the Nottingham-based publisher, while it was a baptism of fire for sales coordinator Priya Kaur as she joined the company at the four-day show in Birmingham, which finished on Wednesday, 4 September.
“I’ve been in retail for 22 years at Wilko, in product development and as a buyer for different categories,” she told PG Buzz. Over her 14 years in a buying role for the retail chain, at various times, Nichola was responsible for toys, homeware accessories, Halloween, DIY, healthcare.
When the retailer went into liquidation last year Nichola moved to global toy company Jakks Pacific as national account manager for its Disguise fancy dress division.
Now the north Notts local is bringing her experience as a buyer, and working with greeting cards in product development to The Art File.
She added: “I love the products and the people are so lovely. They offer beautiful designs, well executed, and with design and product as my background it’s really helpful..
“I love all the Sara Miller collections, I also love Rock On, Story Book and Soulmates, they’re all so beautiful!”
Fellow newbie to the team, Priya’s role involves sales and office support for the publisher’s domestic field-based sales team, alongside helping at trade shows and accounts.
“I started this week so I’m in at the deep end with Autumn Fair!” she laughed. “My background is in sales, but this is the nicest sales role that I’ve ever had. I’ve just come from the civil service so it’s a complete change.
“I wanted to put myself in at the deep end and try something new, to find something new rather than stay in the same role.”
Commenting on the two appointments, The Art File’s sales and marketing manager James Mace said: “We are absolutely delighted to have both Nichola and Priya on the team. Nichola brings a wealth of experience from the buying worlds as well as her own national accounts skillset, and is very much looking forward to working with and moving forward in our exciting greetings industry.”
