Sambro has promoted Eric Markus to the newly created role of CCO as the company looks to drive UK and pan-European growth.

As chief commercial officer, Eric will continue in his role of leading Sambro’s European sales operations, whilst assuming the incremental role of leading the company’s UK sales operation to growth and success, heading up what will become a newly formed pan-European sales team.

Since joining the global toy company in 2011, Eric has played an instrumental role in growing Sambro’s European operation to a turnover in excess of £55m per year, with further growth expected over the next 12 months.

Paul Blackaby, chief executive officer, Sambro, said: “Eric has been a driving force in the incredible growth of our European operation, helping push the brand and our team to new heights.”

“As part of our senior leadership team, he has demonstrated the skills, expertise, talent and energy to successfully lead our pan-European sales team. I’m excited to see how he will help take us forward into 2023 and beyond in his new role as chief commercial officer,” Paul added.

Eric commented: “I am absolutely delighted to assume the additional responsibility of UK sales and I look forward to successfully moulding the sales team into one coherent whole. My aim is to replicate our European success across all of our markets, including the UK, as we continue to grow over the coming years.”

Sambro recently announced a raft of internal promotions and new hires bolstering its senior leadership team to eight.

The new senior leadership team includes Ben Armstrong (CFO) Clare Rix (Brand and Licensing director), Ed Whieldon (Buying and Sourcing director), John Mallett (Product director), Steve Hunt (Operations director) and Denise Scott (HR manager).