Alan Thompson has been awarded the prestigious Golden Teddy in recognition of his dedication and service to the toy industry upon his retirement as a sales agent.

A true veteran of the toy trade, Alan is retiring after 50 years in the industry. He joined Tomy as a sales agent in 1983 following a long career in the toy industry, including roles at both Mattel and Ravensburger.

Kingsley Matthews, UK sales director at Tomy, commented: “Alan Thompson is a true man of character and integrity – he is dependable, honest and credible – and he is fully deserving of his Golden Teddy award. He is known in the industry for his enthusiasm for the ranges he sells and his relentless servicing of his retailers, and we shall certainly miss having him as a member of our team.”

Andrew McCormick, who is taking over Alan’s role in Ireland, added: “Alan certainly leaves some very big shoes to fill. His knowledge of the trade and the example he sets in his work ethic and customer service is second to none, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all he has taught me.”

Kingsley added: “We’d like to again extend our thanks to Alan for his incredible 39 years of hard work here at Tomy.”