AIS Board

AIS have an Executive Board responsible for running the business on a day to day basis and providing strategic direction. That Executive is currently supported by other Directors who are drawn from a cross section of our membership representative of our trading sectors and geographic spread. Those non-executive Directors rotate on a 3 year basis, elected each year at our Spring AGM, and the Chairman is normally appointed from that group and may serve for a longer period.

Currently the Board comprises the following individuals.

Executive Directors:

  • Sheila Cooper – Managing Director
  • Peter Mallinson – Merchandise Director Home
  • Susan Potter-Price – Finance Director
  • David Standing – Commercial Director

Combined they have extensive AIS experience and a background of senior roles within retail or customer facing service companies including Multiyork, Selfridges, KPMG, HMV Media Group, Homebase and B&Q.

Non-executive Member Directors:

  • Peter Creasey (Creasey’s) – Chairman
  • Ian Barker (Barkers)
  • Greg Davies (Smith Bradbeer)
  • Jane Gurney-Read (Bakers & Larners)
  • Adam Hopewell (Hopewells)
  • Stephen McCammon (Menarys)
  • Graham Schofield (Stokers)
  • Annette Thomas (Julian Foye)

Testimonials

Tylers has been established for over 90 years and sought membership of AIS to help us face the competition. As members we buy at very advantageous prices and now face the future with confidence whilst still retaining our independence.

Steve Tyler, Tylers

The AIS Import Show is the most important show date in my diary bar none! The carefully selected imported lines allow me to buy brands such as Barbie, Fisher Price and VTech at a higher margin. I can also choose great quality toys from cars to teddy bears and dolls to craft at terrific prices giving my stores a real point of difference from the rest of the high street. Miles and the team put together a fantastic range of products on our behalf along with amazing clearance offers, gift with purchase ideas and even themed promotions backed up with point of sale posters & shelf barkers. This ‘must visit’ show should form the basis of your buy for the season as it drives profitability and gives customers a reason to shop in your store to see fresh and different products.

Su Gill, Morleys

Joining AIS was probably the best business decision I ever made and as a non-executive director am very aware of the professionalism and dedication of AIS personnel. If you make full use of the services and networking that AIS have to offer you simply can’t go wrong.

Dominic Reynolds, Reynolds Furniture