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North East business leader crafts prestigious role

A leading County Durham businesswoman has been voted as the UK Chair of a high profile international association.

Sara Davies, sales director at Coundon-based crafts supply business Crafter’s Companion, has been appointed as head of the board of directors at the Craft Hobby Association UK (CHA-UK) after being given the vote of confidence by her fellow industry professionals.

The new CHA-UK officially launched last month to look after the interests of the booming British craft industry and includes high profile members such as the chief executive at Hobbycraft. The UK arm is as an affiliate chapter of the hugely successful Craft & Hobby Association in the USA where Sara already sits on the Board of Directors.

At just 28, Sara is a well-known face in the crafting sector as she regularly features for Crafter’s Companion on TV via Ideal World and Create & Craft as well as equivalent shopping channels in the US, Canada and across Europe.

Fellow CHA-UK board members and commercial director at TV giant Ideal Shopping, Tony Sheridan, said: “Alongside others on the US board, Sara has championed the launch of a UK chapter for many years and her passion for the industry and drive makes her the perfect choice for this prominent role.”

Recognised as one of the region’s best young entrepreneurs, Sara founded Crafter’s Companion from her bedroom whilst studying at University of York’s Management School just seven years ago.

Designing and manufacturing many of the products it distributes from its headquarters in the region, the company now employs 37 staff at its sites in Bishop Auckland, Bristol and California and supplies thousands of craft-related products to enthusiasts across the world.

Talking of her new appointment, she said: “I am delighted and incredibly honoured to have been given this important role by my fellow industry professionals and I look forward to helping the Craft Hobby Association UK meet its goals.

“After years of discussion and planning, this is a major milestone for the craft and hobby industry in the UK. It will allow us to nurture the craft sector by leveraging shared experience and pooling of resources to harness the collective power of an entire industry rather than individual businesses.

“As more and more people continue to take up crafts across Britain, it is vital for the Association to not only unite the craft industry but also look to grow the UK’s craft market and maintain its success.”

As part of her role. Sara will take on responsibility for unifying, developing and representing the UK’s craft industry and raising awareness of crafting as a leisure time activity among consumers.

This is the latest notable achievement for Sara who has previously been named the UK Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Awards and the Santander SME of the Year award at the National Business Awards.

Crafter’s Companion recently opened a new warehouse facility in County Durham to support the increasing demand for its craft supplies, craft CDs and tools for card making and scrapbooking.

For further information, visit www.crafterscompanion.co.uk and www.cha-uk.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Raman Sehgal .