Geoff Sheffield announced as chairman of Toy Retailers Association

The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) has announced that Geoff Sheffield, chief commercial officer at The Entertainer, has been appointed chairman of the association. Alan Simpson, the association’s long-serving former chairman, passed over the office at the TRA Annual General Meeting today, 26th June 2024, during the British Toy & Hobby Association‘s annual Industry Day at Great Fosters Hotel in Surrey.

Geoff said: “I am honoured to have been selected as the next chairman of the TRA. I have big shoes to fill in following on from Alan, who has dedicated himself to the leadership of the association through some challenging times for toy retailers. I wish Alan every happiness in his retirement. I also look forward to working with the TRA’s members and I am looking to bring new members onto the board with me to represent their interests over the coming years”.

Alan Simpson joined the TRA board on 25th May 2004, and became chairman at the 2012 AGM. Part of the association’s leadership for just over 20 years, he has overseen changes to the annual DreamToys event and taken an active role in the media discussions surrounding it every year, as well as led the association through some changing times in the retail landscape. He has also frequently promoted toy retail to regulators and the media throughout his tenure. Alan will be at the 2025 Toy Fair to say farewell to his industry colleagues.

Geoff Sheffield will now head up the TRA, which represents more than 450 retailers with around 2,800 stores throughout the UK.

toyworldmag.co.uk/geoff-sheffield-announced-as-new-toy-retailers-association-chairman/.