Shropshire’s leading independent furniture company has expanded its team with the recruitment of a new marketing assistant.
Maddie Hodge has joined the team at Alan Ward, one of the largest family-owned furniture retail groups in the country.
She will be based in the company’s head office in Lancaster Road, Shrewsbury, as the business plans for future growth.
The 22-year-old from St George’s in Telford has joined Kathy Lesser, marketing manager, to increase the number of events and promotional work at the company’s four stores in Shrewsbury, Winsford, Chester and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Miss Hodge said: “I am excited about what the future holds for me at Alan Ward.
“Since starting my role I have already attended the Shrewsbury Food Festival and organised a major event in our flagship store.
“Shrewsbury is such a thriving place so I’m looking forward to getting Alan Ward involved in even more community events.
Alan Ward is so much more than furniture and I know I have joined the firm at a very exciting time, especially as it is the company’s 45th anniversary later this year.
Our recent birthday party of our Shrewsbury based cookshop and homewares department was a great success and showcased Alan Ward to hundreds of families in one day.
With four stores I will be exploring what else we can get involved in and working to promote each one of them.”
The former Wrockwardine Wood Arts College and Telford College of Arts and Technology student will be working across the stores in Chester, Winsford and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Miss Hodge has completed a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship and Level 3 Business Administration with Marketing and has four years’ experience in various marketing roles.
“To work in such a such a trend led industry and being surrounded by all of the latest trends, leading brands and designs across our stores is very exciting,” she added.
Kathy Lesser, marketing manager at Alan Ward, said it was a huge boost to welcome Maddie.
She said: “Alan Ward is busier than ever and the marketing department certainly needed an extra pair of hands.
“With the increase in social media activity, marketing events in all four stores and the annual increase in internet sales, Maddie and I will be as busy as ever.
“Maddie has become an essential part of the Alan Ward team and we look forward to sharing ideas and working together for many years to come.
“People across the four stores should look out for Maddie as she will be out and about talking to people and looking to get involved in the community as well.”