The British Toy & Hobby Association presented Mark Foster with a coveted Golden Teddy at yesterday’s well-attended Industry Day.
L-R: Mark Foster and Graham Canning
The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) says it is ‘delighted’ to have presented a Golden Teddy Award to Mark Foster, managing director – UK & North America at Playmobil.
The award was presented to Mark during the BTHA’s annual Industry Day at Great Fosters Hotel, surrounded by colleagues and friends, past and present. The award presented was presented by outgoing BTHA chairman Graham Canning.
Mark was described by his proposer and seconder a ‘calm and honest individual who leads his team with selflessness and empathy’, and said the people in Mark’s teams trust him completely. They added: “He is the ultimate team player who always seeks to bring the best out of everyone he works with. Over the years he has gained many friends within the industry and is highly respected by all his peers.”
Remarking on his award, Graham Canning said: “Mark is the complete representation of what a Golden Teddy Award winner should be; someone who is loyal, respected, and has served with dedication over a sustained period in the toy industry. I cannot think of anyone more deserving for this award than Mark and my huge congratulations go to him for this recognition.”
BTHA Golden Teddy Awards recognise individuals who possess a high degree of honesty and integrity and are given only to the industry’s ‘genuinely nice people’. Information on Golden Teddy and other BTHA award nomination information, including previous winners, can be found here.
Yesterday’s Industry Day, at which Mark was given his Golden Teddy, was once again a very well-attended affair with good representation from a broad spectrum of the toy industry. Following the Toy Retailer’s Association (TRA) AGM and the BTHA AGM, and an address by the BTHA’s Graham Canning and Matt Jones on the ongoing work of the organisation – particularly its charitable and fundraising work – KPMG’s Retail partner Amanda Myatt took attendees through the current economic outlook, spanning everything from inflation and interest rates to consumer confidence and the impact of online shopping.
After a break for coffee, polar explorer Ann Daniels took to the stage, delivering a fascinating presentation detailing how she went from mum-of-triplets to intrepid explorer taking part in a North Pole relay adventure in just a few months. Along the way, she spoke about the power of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. Visitors were left energised and inspired in equal measure.
The talks were followed by a drinks reception and networking event on the patio and a hot buffet lunch, both of which stood up to the usual high expectations of guests.
