Arena Azure’s Jeff Taylor was awarded for his efforts in mediating the annual media auction and fundraising efforts.

Through his involvement over the past nine years, £407,000 has been raised through the industry via the media airtime Jeff has sourced. His efforts were officially recognised with an award presentation at the BTHA & TRA Industry Day, which took place yesterday at Great Fosters Hotel in Surrey.

Foye Pascoe, chair of the Toy Trust, commented: “Jeff has been a fantastic support to the Toy Trust over many years. His has been a contribution that the Charity Committee have always valued but has not been as well known by the wider industry at large until today. Jeff has been instrumental in generating and sourcing free air time from many media companies for the annual Toy Trust media auction that generates significant funds each year for disadvantaged children. The media companies themselves have been hugely generous and the toy companies participating have been tremendous. Without Jeff’s pivotal role, however, in connecting these key partners, this vital venture would simply not have happened. Jeff has truly made an outstanding contribution to the Toy Trust and our thanks go to him today.”

The Industry Day welcomed more than 100 people from across the toy trade who gathered together to listen to inspiring presentations from Dame Stella Rimington DCB MA, former director general of the Security Service (MI5), and Don Williams from KPMG, who provided an update on current retail trends.

Elsewhere during the day, Hasbro’s Foye Pascoe was named the new chair of the BTHA, taking over from Character Options’ Jon Diver. This is the first time in BTHA history that there will be both a female president (Christine Nicholls, Golden Bear) and a female chair at the same time.