Christies Direct win two categories at the UK’s prestigious Pet Industry Federation Awards

A Ballymoney dog grooming supply business is celebrating after winning two awards at the Pet Industry Federation Awards held at Whittlebury Hall, in Northamptonshire.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Christies Direct picked up the award for the Grooming Wholesaler of The Year and their global division Christies Global won Best Export Business of the Year.

The prestigious national event not only celebrates success across a wide range of products, services, and companies, it also raises awareness of the pet industry and encourages the sharing of ideas and best practices, which helps enhance skills and company development.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite the challenges of 2020, both Christies Direct and Christies Global adapted rapidly and experienced significant growth. Following March’s lockdown, as professional dog grooming businesses were forced to close, they pivoted to reach a new demographic – pet owners.

Pictured with the award is Mark Briggs, director of Cliverton Insurance, sponsor, Amber McIntyre, customer care manager at Christies Direct,
Chloe Smith, director of Tuft and Megan Byers, key account manager at Christies GlobalPictured with the award is Mark Briggs, director of Cliverton Insurance, sponsor, Amber McIntyre, customer care manager at Christies Direct,
Chloe Smith, director of Tuft and Megan Byers, key account manager at Christies Global
Pictured with the award is Mark Briggs, director of Cliverton Insurance, sponsor, Amber McIntyre, customer care manager at Christies Direct, Chloe Smith, director of Tuft and Megan Byers, key account manager at Christies Global

Marketing manager Matthew, explained: “When the Covid-19 pandemic spread rapidly in 2020, we needed to respond to the changes quickly. We learned to adapt and advance digital and operational strategies to meet the changing demands of customers, so for all of us here, both at Christies Direct and Christies Global, winning these awards means a lot.”

The customer care team completed workshops on teamwork, communication, and self-awareness, and training on good customer care, and call techniques, alongside product training on new brands, coat specific products and product groups.

Christies Global key account manager Megan Byers, continued: “We are honoured to have been awarded with Export Business of the Year 2021 at the recent Pet Industry Federation awards. 2021 has been a tough year, we have been unable to attend trade shows and meet our customers face to face. However, we have adapted, and we hosted two of our own virtual trade shows as well as attended, VPI & Pet Fair Asia. We have been active in having virtual meetings with our customers and hosting online training sessions. No matter what is going on in the world, whether it be Brexit or Covid-19, we ensure that we keep our customers at the forefront of everything we do at Christies Global.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The PIF awards provide a platform to recognise excellence and innovation within the industry and are by far the UK’s leading awards for the pet industry. Like many other similar events last year, the PIF Awards could not be held in person, but this year, they are back and bigger than ever.

Nigel Baker, CEO of Pet Industry Federation, added: “We are delighted to have awarded Christies the Export Business of the Year and Grooming Wholesaler of the Year two weeks ago at the Pet Industry Federation Awards. This year’s entries were of a very high standard, and it is testament to Christies that they were able to be the strongest in each of their categories and come away with the trophies. Many congratulations to their team!”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

Related topics: