Josh Beevor, the grandson of Orchard Toys founder Keith Harvey, joins the educational games and jigsaws company Orchard Toys as Director and Key Account Manager.
In his new role, Josh will be working with Sales Director Simon Prest and reporting into Managing Director Simon Newbery. His responsibilities will ensure he gains a view of the entire business, from shopper insights to warehousing logistics, and product design and development to ensure innovative new games and puzzles get to market.
Simon Newbery, Managing Director at Orchard Toys, says: “We’re delighted Josh is joining us, and excited to see him become a key member of our team and maintain the family involvement”.
Prior to joining Orchard Toys, Josh worked in London and New York. He gained experience in asset management with a year at Aberdeen Asset Management, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. More recently he has spent three years as an accountant with Bandai Namco Holdings.
Born, raised, and schooled in Norfolk, Josh is a keen Norwich City fan. He has recently become a first-time dad, and is excited to be returning to live and work in Norfolk with his young family. It’s not his first time working for Orchard Toys, he’s previously done holiday work in the warehouse, packing some of his favourite games – Tummy Ache and Shopping List!
Josh says, “It’s amazing to be here at Orchard Toys, becoming part of a great team, a really strong brand, and contributing to the business I’ve heard so much about for most of my life!”.
Orchard Toys started at the kitchen table in Keith Harvey’s home – Orchard House in Plumtree, Nottingham. More than 50 years on, Orchard Toys is the UK’s No.1 manufacturer of preschool games. It remains a privately owned, family business, with Keith’s daughter and son-in-law, the owners, playing an active role in the company; and Keith as a non-executive Director continues to take a keen interest in the business.