Press Release: Miscellaneous Announcements
Book Shop Managers Win Scholarship To Oxford University-Based Course
Posted at 2:59PM Monday 08 Mar 2010
Monday, 8th March 2010 Two talented bookshop owner / managers have become two of just seven candidates selected to receive a scholarship to the world's most renowned and unique retail industry course, courtesy of Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail and Retail Trust. Anne-Marie Phillips-Broadhurst, Co Owner of Beacon Books in Malvern, Worcestershire and Stephen Jeffrey-Poulter, Joint Director of Jeffrey Poulter Books in Hoddeston, Hertfordshire, beat off competition from dozens of entries and will now take their places on the £2,000, four-day Oxford Retail Masters Forum in March, held at Oxford University's Saïd Business School. There, they will join senior managers from retail businesses across the UK to learn from some of the most respected figures in retail, including Chairman of Ryman Stationery, BBC Dragon and Skillsmart Retail Patron Theo Paphitis; Fat Face Chairman Alan Giles; and Stephen Robertson, Director General of the British Retail Consortium. As well as special guest speakers, the Oxford Retail Masters Forum, run by the BHF-BSSA Group, invites attendees to look into the challenges facing the world of retail, from global sourcing and ethical trading to demography, business management and climate change. Both Anne-Marie and Stephen were delighted to have been selected for the scholarship and are looking forward to learning from the experts at the forum. Anne-Marie said: "Running an independent shop can be an isolating experience. Networking and exposure to new ideas are crucial for the development of the business. This forum will offer an unrivalled opportunity to learn from the best in retail. There is no room for amateurism in what are challenging and changing times for bookselling. Attending the forum can only enhance my management skills to keep the business on a firm financial footing and offer employment security and career development to my employees." Stephen added: "I am faced with tough challenges of maintaining sales and profitability in a very unstable and rapidly changing sector. I welcome the chance to test my own knowledge and expectations against current retail trends and new industry initiatives, confident that it will expand my understanding of the industry, inspire new ideas and increase my effectiveness as a retailer." Anne Seaman, Chief Executive of Skillsmart Retail, said: "Year on year, we are continually impressed with the quality of scholarship applications for the Oxford Retail Masters Forum and this year has been no different. "We are delighted to offer these seven free places and are very pleased that Anne-Marie and Stephen have been selected to attend. It shows there is great strength in depth within the independent book shops in this country. "Having sent delegates in previous years, we know how important this event is to their retail careers and we have had nothing but positive feedback. I am sure this year will be no different and that Anne-Marie and Stephen will return having benefited greatly from their experience." Nigel J L Rothband, Chief Executive of Retail Trust, added: "Retail Trust has long recognised the need for increased educational opportunities for people working in retail. The aim of this bursary scheme is to assist aspiring managers in achieving their potential and fulfilling their ambitions in retail."
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