Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Joan Woulfe has stepped down as chair of the CHA (Cookshop & Housewares Association). and vice-chair Chris Lynn Thomas has taken over the role in the short term.
Joan, who is managing director of multi-award-winning website www.cookingmarvellous.co.uk, was appointed to the CHA post – which carries a two-year tenureship – last April.
But she has since taken on the position of third vice president of bira (British Independent Retailers Association), of which CHA is a specialist division.
As a result, Joan said: “My time is going to be devoted to supporting the aims of bira as a whole.” She added: “I sold my high street cookshop last year, retaining the online and warehouse element of the business. And as it continues to evolve, my business is now more grocery and beauty than cookshop and housewares.
“I therefore feel that the CHA should be represented by someone at the core of the CHA’s home and gift market. I have enjoyed my time as chair of the CHA but it is the right time for me to hand over the reins.”
Vice chair Chris Lynn Thomas, owner of Kooks Unlimited in the Surrey town of Richmond upon Thames, has agreed to step up to the position of CHA chair in the short term.
CHA secretary Sarah Golden said: “Naturally, we’re sorry to lose Joan from the CHA but I’m extremely pleased to confirm that we will be retaining her skills and knowledge for bira, as she will be formally taking up the position of third vice president at our AGM in May.
“On behalf of the CHA and bira, I’d like to thank Joan for her work with the committee and enthusiasm to reinvigorate the division and set us on a new course.”
CHA vice chair Chris Lynn Thomas, owner of Kooks Unlimited in the Surrey town of Richmond upon Thames, has agreed to step up to the position of CHA chair in the short term.
