Ian Stewart has taken over responsibility for Sweet Dreams sales in the North East after the retirement of Malcolm Willis.
Ian commenced his selling career in 1971, starting out in retail at House of Fraser in the beds department of Binns in Sunderland. His ambition to become a sales representative and to travel was achieved in 1978 at the age of 21 when he joined Steelux of London – the original Z Bed company.
He joined Sealy UK in 1980 as regional sales executive and in 1989 became a self-employed agent with the West Midlands-based upholstery company LPK. At that time turnover was £500,000 and within five years Ian grew the area to £2m and became their number one sales agent, while also successfully holding an agency with cabinet company Gola Furniture.
Ian has since undertaken other sales agencies within the furniture industry, including Julian Bowen - where he took turnover from £250,000 to £750,000 - Dura Beds, and Gradi, which he still holds, together with Newbridge Street Bedding Centre in Newcastle for Times Beds.
Looking for a new challenge, and describing himself as still 100% committed and enthusiastic, Ian, who lives in Whitburn, Sunderland, joined Sweet Dreams this summer. Ian says: "I am absolutely delighted to join Sweet Dreams which has a fantastic infrastructure in place and a phenomenal product mix. I have big ambitions for the turnover in my North East region."
Nick Williams, who now has responsibility for Sweet Dreams’ 11-strong team of sales agents, was promoted to sales manager in April this year. Nick began working with Sweet Dreams three years ago, with responsibility for developing key accounts. His major success in securing new chains, such as Next and Dunelm Mill, and developing them, alongside buying group AIS and other key accounts, helped deliver substantial business growth for the privately owned company in fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
Nick is now responsible for all aspects of sales in the UK, including chains and groups, and also assumes responsibility for developing new business opportunities across multi-channel markets.
Nick says: "Sweet Dreams has become a major success story in terms of growth over the last three years and I’m delighted to be part of the team that’s delivering that. I’m glad to welcome Ian aboard as our new, highly experienced and enthusiastic agent for the North East and look forward to supporting him as he looks to achieve his own ambitions and those of Sweet Dreams."
