With her fun, bubbly personality, love of life and a passion for gift shops, Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net is delighted to officially welcome Ali Farrell, who originates from the North of England, to the team as advertisement manager.
Previously with Housewares magazine, and with over three decades in sales, many in the industry will already have met Ali at the Autumn trade shows and at The Greats Awards, but expect to see and hear much more from her over the coming months as Ali sets off on a UK roadshow.
GiftsandHome.net caught up with Ali to find out a bit more about her, and what makes her tick.
Ali, welcome on board! How does it feel to be a part of the fabulous, innovative, progressive gift industry?
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have been invited to join Progressive Gifts & Home and to work with an incredible team on such a prestigious magazine. I have over 30 years of sales experience specialising in housewares, as well as the print and paper industry, and I can’t wait to meet all the people involved in this fabulous, dynamic market. I look forward to strengthening the highly valued relationships that Progressive Gifts & Home have already forged within the trade and taking every opportunity to build many new ones.”
Where’s home, and are you a homemaker?
“I live in Kent, and my home and homelife is incredibly important to me, especially creating a warm cosy, relaxing ambience. I love to surround myself with beautiful things, so I am the luckiest girl alive to find myself working in an industry that I absolutely adore! A favourite pastime is visiting gift shops, and during my career I have travelled extensively throughout the UK which has given me the opportunity to purchase so many gorgeous items!”
Outside of work, how do you relax?
“My biggest and most favourite waste of time are my two Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Poppy and Lola. I am so passionate about all animals – horses and dogs especially. I have so many hobbies and interests, to list them all would be like writing War and Peace! Just to mention a few though, music is such a huge part of my life, everything from Bowie to Beethoven. I have danced for over 24 years, and I did Korean kickboxing too, not at the same time I hasten to add, or I think I would win Britain’s Got Talent hands down!”
Tell us something we don’t already know about you . . .
“I love meeting people, and during the winter lockdown last year I felt that I needed to help, to do something with my time. I was extremely privileged to work at the weekends as a personal care assistant at a local retirement village. At a time where residents were unable to see family and friends, it meant the world to me to provide companionship with a huge sprinkling of laughter and fun.”
Jo Pilcher continues as commercial manager, while the team is supported by Max Publishing’s directors Ian Hyder, Jakki Brown, Warren Lomax and Rob Willis.
Top: Ali Farrell has officially joined the Progressive Gifts & Home/GiftsandHome.net team as advertisement manager.
