“We can really position ourselves nationally as the next-day delivery experts.”

Power Tool World had appeared in Ward Hadaway's Fastest 50 not once but three times. Chris and Suzanne were ready for a step back. What they thought they needed was short-term cover for the senior leadership team while they took time out. What they actually needed was a fresh look at where the business could go.

Through Unlocked Expertise they were introduced to Andrew Pickersgill — already known to the network through one of the EB peer-group cohorts focused on existing and aspiring NEDs. Andrew brought construction and building merchant experience. Alongside him, David Quinn arrived — a qualified accountant and treasurer with growth and transition experience across oil and gas, online gambling, retail and manufacturing.

Neither had met Chris and Suzanne before. Neither had met each other. But the chemistry worked, and the short-term plan dissolved into a long-term one. Andrew came in as Managing Director. David came in as Finance and Operations Director.

Andrew's plan is dual-track. Short-term: extend warehouse facilities, launch a B2B trade account offering, expand the 40-plus team. Long-term: position Power Tool World nationally as the next-day delivery expert for Dewalt, Makita, Milwaukee and the rest of the professional kit market.

“Power Tool World is already a huge success,” Andrew said. “Now is a really exciting time where not only can we expect an uplift in the growth projection, but we can really position ourselves nationally.”