Announcement: Ella Becomes CEO and Retirement Message from David Long

Since starting my career in 1972, I have been working for well over 50 years. My journey took me to the promotional merchandise industry where I have now had 38 enjoyable years, it is also 22 years since founding Sourcing City, and the time now feels right to take a step back from the front line of the business.

Over past years, I have got more involved in supporting my local community, and now approaching my 69th birthday, I wish to do other things, and give more time to giving back.

The company is to continue exactly as it is with one change, Ella will today step up from Operations Director, to formerly become CEO, a role that she has been fulfilling for some time now.

I will not be completely disappearing from the business. Whilst moving away from the front line, I will remain as the major shareholder, and as chairman in an advisory capacity. This change is purely on a personal level and there are no plans to sell the business – it will remain in the more than capable hands of our highly-respected, loyal, and dedicated Sourcing City and Promotional Office teams.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported me on my incredible and exciting journey.

I am so grateful to the people in the Sourcing City and Promotional Office teams. Many have been with me since the very early days, and they are great friends who I have become so close to over so many years. Others have joined our journey across the decades and become new friends, and they have all played an important part in driving our business forward. None of what has been achieved would have been possible without the great team we have.

Over the years, so many customers have been a pleasure to work with and for their loyalty and support I will be forever grateful.

Last but by no means least, a core of established suppliers has supported us right from the beginning, others have joined us throughout our journey, to each and every one I send my heartfelt thanks.

A business cannot be built without great relationships, and I am so grateful to all those that have let us support their businesses.

I move on very proud of Sourcing City and our associated brands & services which have innovated across the industry since their inception. Over the years we have invested in new concepts to provide services of true value to distributors & suppliers alike – and this will carry on into the future. There remain exciting plans of new innovative services to come, and I look forward to the company continuing to go from strength to strength.

Thanks again to everyone who has supported me, it is hard to express how grateful I am. I hope to see you all at Merchandise World.

Regards,

David

PS: To read more about the journey I have taken with the support of so many people, please visit: www.sourcingcity.co.uk/our_brands#thecompany