Tim has been promoted from head of sales to general manager for the UK and ROI.
Basic Fun has promoted Tim Ives to the role of general manager for the UK and ROI.
Tim (pictured) is one of the original members from K’NEX UK, having joined the company back in 2013 to head up the sales division.
Following the acquisition of K’NEX by Basic Fun in 2018, Tim continued to focus on his role as head of sales.
Speaking of Tim’s promotion, Jay Foremen, ceo of Basic Fun, commented: “Tim has always been an outstanding example of dedication, hard work and commercial enterprise. As head of sales, Tim has been instrumental in growing the business to what it is today.
“This well-deserved appointment reflects the very significant contribution and the impact he has made during a fundamental period of evolution for the company.”
During his eight-year tenure at the company, Tim has played a key role in developing its main brands which now include K’NEX, Tonka, Care Bears, Cutetitos, Lite-Brite and Fisher Price Classics among others. He has been integral in securing Basic Fun’s position as a top 40 toy company in the UK.
His new role will see him take responsibility for the business, while remaining as the key contact for his accounts. He will be supported by general sales manager, Lynne Swatton-Reed, and head of marketing, Holly Lackey.
Tim commented: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at such an exciting time for the company. There are many positive changes being implemented at present. We’re adding some incredible IPs to the portfolio and we’ve had continued success with brands such as K’NEX, Tonka, Care Bears, Lite Brite, Cuetitos to name and few.
“We have such a brilliant team in the UK, so I am really pleased that I will be able to continue working closely with Holly and Lynne as I take on this new challenge. With their help and with the valued support of our retail partners, I am confident that we will be able to build on the incredible success that we had at the end of 2020.
“In fact, this year, I’m proud to report that we are currently looking at double digit growth in the UK, so that will certainly bring us that bit closer to realising our longer-term goal of becoming a top 20 company.”
