Douglas & Grahame has appointed Jeremy Aston-Phillips to lead the sales development of its schoolwear products sold under the 1880 Club brand. The newly created role is the first stage of a strategic plan to increase the brand’s penetration in mainland UK.
Aston-Phillips brings a wealth of experience with him; having held senior positions within the UK schoolwear sector for over 20 years. As sales director, he will now develop opportunities for the brand across England, Scotland and Wales.
Aston-Phillips will work closely with group sales director Andrew Lowden in the deployment of the brand development programme.
“I am really excited to be joining the Douglas and Grahame team,” says Aston-Phillips. “1880 Club is a brand I am very familiar with – it provides a great range of quality uniforms. This is backed up with exceptional customer service, incredible stock support and the values of a family-run organisation.
“I am passionate about helping retailers grow their business and 1880 Club Schoolwear presents a fantastic opportunity for retailers in Great Britain.”
Today, 1880 Club is available in more than 150 independent retailers and department stores across the UK and Ireland. It is well known for both its high-quality school uniforms as well as fashionable boys’ occasionwear.
Furthermore, the company has a well-established track record of success with schoolwear in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It has also been growing in the GB market for many years.
Headquartered in Northern Ireland and with a UK sales office in Shenstone, Staffordshire, Douglas & Grahame is a leading supplier of school uniforms, boyswear and menswear to the independent retail market.
Also commenting is Donald Finlay, managing director of Douglas & Grahame. “We’re excited to be taking the next step in our strategic plan to grow the business for 1880 Club Schoolwear in the GB market.
“Jeremy is an experienced sales director with a wealth of knowledge in this market that will be of enormous benefit to our company, our brand, and our customers in the coming years.”
The new 1880 Club Schoolwear collection will be available to view at The Schoolwear Show on 13-15 October 2019. Click here for further information on the show and for visitor registration.
