PATRICIA GOES FROM SHOP FLOOR TO DIRECTOR IN 22 YEARS
A COMMITTED employee at a family-owned business has become company director following the firm’s transition to employee ownership.
Patricia Foy started as a sales assistant with Hamilton-based Dazzle & Inkspot Ltd in 1999.
After more than two decades of dedicated service, she has now been awarded a directorship by the current owners who are passing the business on to their nine employees.
The change has secured the long-term futures of Patricia and her colleagues at the firm which is renowned for its officially licensed fancy dress products, toys, games and recreational merchandise.
Recently, Patricia (47) has largely headed up Dazzle & Inkspot’s move to online sales.
Originally from Coatbridge, she now lives in Bellshill with her partner who she met while they both worked at Dazzle & Inkspot in 1999.
Discussing her directorship, Patricia said: “It’s so nice to be recognised for my hard work and a privilege to be entrusted to take over a business which has been in the same family for over 50 years.
“I started as a sales assistant in Dazzle & Inkspot’s stationery department 22 years ago, and worked my way up to become retail manager, then head of online retail five years ago. Up until now I thought I’d come as far as I was going to go.
“I’ve had lots of lovely memories over the years, but one that really stands out to me was when we first turned on our online marketplace on a Friday night, and were delighted to return on the Monday morning to 30 orders.
“Little did we know that within a few months we would be receiving at least 10 times this over a typical weekend.
“I also remember Henrik Larsson stopped by one day; we had to close the shop due to the number of people he attracted!
“We’ve gone from a wee shop in Hamilton to shipping products all over the world through some of the biggest online outlets including Amazon and Ebay.”
The Hamilton-based firm recently made the move to employee ownership when the Super family sold their shares to an Employee-Owned Trust.
Martin Super said: “Employee ownership was the right decision for us for a variety of reasons, but being able to appoint Patricia as director is certainly one of the main ones.”
“Her direction and drive have been key in helping Dazzle & Inkspot Ltd continue to thrive.”
Carole Leslie of Ownership Associates supported Dazzle & Inkspot in their move to employee ownership.
Carole said: “Few businesses give proper consideration to succession planning and the Super family have demonstrated remarkable vision in identifying talent within the business, and making this promotion. “