Bazaar Group, the Northumberland-based market-leading furniture manufacturer and eCommerce retailer in the soft seating category, has appointed a trio of new directors to its board.
Mark Short, Helen Svensson and Dan Pinchard join as strategic leaders focused upon helping the business continue its growth trajectory, which incorporates an aggressive European expansion project following a private equity investment from Comhar Capital in 2021.
Short is an experienced CFO with over 15 years of Board experience, predominantly in Private Equity backed businesses. He trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in Newcastle and subsequently held senior finance roles in the transport, leisure, healthcare and construction sectors.
Svensson’s HR career spans 20 years, within eCommerce, Digital, Technology, and Construction. Leadership roles include former positions at leading retailer, END. Clothing and Digital Agency, TH_NK. With a clear strategic focus on People, leading a culture of high performance in a business which supports diversity and inclusion is key to the future growth of Bazaar Group.
Pinchard has 19-years commercial experience, spending 15-years in eCommerce working in both domestic and international markets. Prior to joining Bazaar Group, he was Head of eCommerce & Pan EU development at Mayborn Group. With the Bazaar Group set to deliver substantial growth, Pinchard is focused on brand build, expansion into international market(s) and an evolution of company mindset.
Mark Dolder, CEO of Bazaar Group, said: “I am delighted that Mark and Dan have chosen to join Bazaar Group, particularly as their talents, experience and leadership qualities will contribute greatly to our future success. I’m equally excited about Helen’s deserved promotion to the board, as she’s the epitome of a progressive and highly effective HR leader.
We form an executive team, that is forging a strong and productive relationship with our investors Neil Armstrong and Craig Wilkinson of Comhar Capital. The expanded board is completed by Andrew Atkins, Independent Director, who continues to play a key part in shaping our business journey.”
Craig Wilkinson, Managing Director of Comhar Capital, commented: “It's an exciting time for the business and I am really pleased that we have been able to broaden the Board with such high calibre people. Our growth plans are ambitious, and Dan, Helen and Mark all have key roles to play.”
Retiring from the board of directors is Ian Simpson, former Non-Executive Chair.
Dolder added: “I am pleased that the board will now be Chaired by Craig Wilkinson, who adds a wealth of knowledge and experience gained as a Chartered Accountant with PWC and applied at LDC when he served on the boards of numerous high growth international businesses.
Craig replaces Ian Simpson, who has worked closely with the founders for 14 years, initially as a consultant and for the last six years as Non-Executive Chair. Ian leaves an indelible legacy of driving the creation of the values driven, people centric business that we are today, and he leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for his retirement.”
