Nuna, the stylish and elite baby gear line that sold out within a week of being delivered to John Lewis looks set to be a major trend-setter this year. At its exclusive launch in the luxurious environs of Hotel Sofitel in London earlier today, celebrities and press were impressed by the apparent simplicity of the range, cleverly designed to lighten the load for new parents.

Kiddicare.com, acquired by Morrisons in 2011, has today agreed to take over the leases of 10 former Best Buy stores from Carphone Warehouse.

Recent news reports highlight the sales of potentially dangerous ‘bling’ baby soothers and other baby products such as feeding bottles and the Baby Products Association (BPA) warns parents not to put their children at risk by purchasing such items, which are often sold on websites, independent shops and market stalls.

TOMY is the number one toy company in Japan and by 2015 its aim is to be the largest toy company worldwide following the acquisition of RC2 earlier this year. This goal is totally achievable with the company’s core growth strategy in place to transform itself into a global giant by maximising its ability to deploy its global development capacity and capitalise on overall efficiencies.

Baby Brands Direct is delighted to announce they are now exclusively stocking the safety brand Lindam. A spokesperson for the company said ‘we were extremely keen to expand our range of nursery products to include a wider range of safety lines, so we were especially pleased to bring back to the independent market brand leader Lindam.’

Britax have appointed Jeff Ward into a new role as European Commercial Director to oversee the sales, marketing and customer service functions across the region.  He will be based at the European headquarters of Britax, located in Ulm, Germany.

OXO Tot is set to hit the big screen this month when it makes a special appearance in the latest American blockbuster “I Don’t Know How She Does It’, featuring Sarah Jessica Parker.

Tippitoes’ hugely successful Boys Toilet Trainer, a revolutionary aid designed to help with toilet training is now launching in Boots.

The Gro Company - the UK’s leading baby sleep brand - has launched two new twin packs to its multi-award winning Grobag Baby Sleep Bag range. Available exclusively to independent nursery retailers, the two new twin packs are designed to meet consumer’s need to make their lives as easy as possible, whilst also providing excellent value. They also provide an excellent commercial opportunity for the retailer.

The washable nappy and baby goods brand "Lollipop" is now under new ownership. Lollipop Baby Products is a new company, trading since May this year and are thrilled to have joined up every aspect of the supply chain of their products, from fabric manufacture through to end retail.

Kiddicare.com, the UK’s largest online nursery retailer, is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Harrow to Chief Operating Officer. The new role is designed to help the business deliver its objectives following the takeover by Morrisions in February this year.

Phillip Schofield and Jenni Falconer had fun guessing the correct use of the Lil Rinser when it appeared recently on ITV1’s ‘This Morning’ daytime show.

ITV1’s flagship breakfast show, Daybreak, visited Britax Headquarters in Andover last week to film a live crash simulation for the programme.

Harrogate Nursery Fair has launched an eye-catching new website where both exhibitor and visitors can easily access news and information about the UK’s favourite nursery trade show.

On-line wholesaler Baby Brands Direct is delighted to announce they have just signed an exclusive agreement to distribute the Beaba brand of baby products in the UK. This collection of truly practical, multifunctional, compact and stylish accessories has been inspired by mums and designed to make life just that little bit easier. This beautiful and popular brand includes a wide range of baby feeding essentials including bottles, teats, soothers, highchairs, booster seats, food preparation equipment and accessories, hygiene and bath time goods, change bags and safety equipment, rockers and also a range of sunglasses!

A new innovation from Smart-Trike sees an exciting world first…a tricycle that is stroller certified and available from six months. The unique Recliner Stroller 4 in 1 is the only trike to have passed the strictest bumping and shock absorption tests, supports from six months and cleverly transforms as the child grows. It offers parents 4 stages to support so that baby can learn to enjoy the great outdoors, ready to adapt as the baby grows to excitable toddler and wants to wheel around!

Baby Brands Direct is delighted to announce that breastvest has appointed them as their exclusive wholesale distributor for their innovative breastfeeding product. breastvest is a revolutionary item of breastfeeding underwear which was created, designed, tested and approved by breastfeeding mums.

Bushbaby award winning baby carriers, clothing and accessories are now available direct to the nursery industry from Bushbaby. Tony Beck, will be joining them as an agent covering the Midlands, Northern England and Scotland.

Thousands of unused pushchairs are lurking in the nation’s homes and garages but parents still have their favourites and seem reluctant to dispose of them, a survey has found.

Argos and Lindam are proud to be supporting Child Safety Week 2011.

Artsana UK is delighted to welcome Mitch Levene as the new MD of Chicco, replacing David Welsh.

It's well documented that Victoria Beckham is going all out on the 'pink'  for her baby girl, due in a few months' time. At her baby shower, the world saw just how 'pink' she'd gone with family and friends sending an array of pink gifts. Among the gifts Dorel was thrilled to see one friend had chosen to give Victoria a Quinny Buzz, in Pink and a pink Hoppop bath.

David Welsh, The UK Managing Director of Chicco, has elected to move on after 20 years at the company.

The Baby Products Association (BPA) is delighted to announce that its request for additional grants from the Tradeshow Access Programme Support Scheme for Overseas Exhibitions (TAP) has been granted, allowing a further five members to receive support to exhibit at Kind und Jugend this year.

All conditions of the Kiddicare.com sale to Morrisons have been met, before the March 23^rd deadline, and the sale has been fully completed.

The partners of kiddicare.com, the award winning multi channel online retailer, are delighted to announce the sale of kiddicare.com to Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc (“Morrisons”) for a total consideration of £70 million, together with the rights to its highly regarded technology platform.

Kiddicare, the UK’s largest nursery retailer, has been voted top of the shops by parents at the prestigious annual Mother and Baby awards ceremony. Winning a triple accolade, Kiddicare was hailed the star of the night, taking home the awards for Best Nursery Retailer and Best Online Retailer, as voted for by Mother and Baby readers, and Best Nursery Product, tested by Mother and Baby’s team of mums.

Since launching into the UK earlier this year, leading Italian nursery brand Mebby has gone from strength to strength. They are now looking to appoint sales agents in Scotland, Wales and the South West.

HABA’s wooden clutching toys have been voted as UK retailer’s favourite baby toy by the recent Toy Shop UK Independent Toy Awards.

The Innovation Award is to Kind + Jugend what a medal is to the Olympic Games. To mark the start of the world's largest trade fair for the children's outfitting sector, the best of 213 submitted innovations were presented with the "Kind + Jugend Innovation Award 2010". 

There's a first time for everything and London-based inventor Solvej Biddle got everything she asked for when she appeared on Dragons’ Den on Monday - without Peter Jones asking a single question.

Kiddicare.com has signed up as the broadcast sponsor of the new Michael Ball Show on ITV1. The sponsorship deals run across thirty episodes to be screened each weekday afternoon over the next six weeks, with the first show airing this Wednesday from 3-4pm. The deal also includes brand coverage on ITV.com and the Michael Ball Show home page.

The i’coo Pluto 10 incorporates mobility and individual style, utilising high quality materials and stand alone colours. The Bizziebaby tester panel reviewed it over a 4 week period.  It was put through its paces, taken out in all weathers and they ensured every aspect of this innovative stroller was tested thoroughly. 

Said TIPS: "The design of this bath is quite different from others on the market. Designed and made in Denmark by A Real Cool World®, the Flexibath™ has an ingenious folding mechanism, which makes it ideal for people who don’t have a lot of space. It is particularly useful for trips away as it folds flat with a clever locking device. The Flexibath™ is light but strong with smooth edges. It comes in six colours to suit every taste. It is made from safe plastic that is free from phthalates and heavy metals. The manufacturer’s advise that the bath is for babies from 0 to 4 years of age, but some of our  Testers felt it was best suited to infants over six months. This is because from that age, they can sit without being supported and really enjoy using all the space in the Flexibath™ for toys. This helps make bath time even more fun."

Heidi Brown from Hemel Hempstead has been appointed as Sales Manager for the ethical baby company, Close Parent.

The essential new My Carry Potty has appointed parenting and social media specialists as Clear as PR to undertake a targeted consumer PR campaign that will bring increased awareness of toilet training and brand awareness of My Carry Potty.

Baby Brands Direct is always trying to offer its loyal customers the best prices. As an extra incentive they have now launched a new voucher code system to offer customers an extra incentive to buy on-line.

Clarion has announced that over 80 brands have now confirmed and contracted with the Baby Show for Trade, with more in the pipeline.

News reports are currently quoting that a recall of baby clothes at ASDA were supplied by Baby Basics. Baby Basics (UK) Ltd, T/A Baby Brands Direct would like to re-assure all customers that this is a different company to them and has no connection at all with the company who has supplied the substandard merchandise to Asda.

60 mothers (children, a couple of dads and some grandparents!) marched up Whitehall today to deliver their message-in a bottle directly to the Government - in a bid to put mothers’ and their families’ needs on the political agenda and in light of recent news, their timing could not be better.

BabaSlings Ltd, manufacturer of the fashionable baby carrier the BabaSling™, has announced the appointment of John Donovan as UK Sales Director.

Theraline, Europe’s established manufacturer of mother and baby comfort brands has appointed leading PR Company, PJP PR & Communications to work alongside them to strengthen their UK message.

ACTOR Jason Durr and HIS WIFE, TV presenter KATE CHARMAN were blessed with twins last summer. Here Jason juggles with the twins, Felix and Velvet in a pair of Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix car seats while enjoying the sunshine.

KJG Ltd has announced that top licensee Shreds has signed a deal to produce a variety of products featuring Pip, the cute cat from Henries-finalist Over the Moon.

Now in its second year, the ToyTalk Awards are open for entry.  The awards are run completly online, from the entry of products right up to a live online awards ceremony later in the year.

The organisers of the Practical Pre-school and 5-7 Awards are urging companies to get their entries in before Friday 14^th May (tomorrow) as this year’s deadline is fast approaching!

Following the successful opening of House of Baby’s Bedford superstore in April, the baby product specialist has now launched its online emporium. Stocking the latest nursery equipment from leading brands including Bloom, Boori, Bugaboo, Maxi-Cosi, Phil & Teds, Quinny, Silver Cross and Stokke, customers will find a wide range of choices to suit both their lifestyles and budgets – all available at the click of a mouse. House of Baby is also one of the few independent retailers to be selected by Mamas & Papas to stock the über-cool Mylo pushchair and also the Morph baby carrier which ensures a perfect fit for both parent and child.

The Cybex Aton from Mamas & Papas has been voted ‘Best Value Group 0+ car seat’ in the May issue of Prima Baby & Pregnancy magazine. Described within the magazine as ‘a well-designed seat that’s sturdy and well padded, yet still very portable,’ the ultra lightweight infant carrier was awarded full marks for ‘ease of use’ and ‘comfort’.

GMTV is pleased to announce the renewal of Chicco’s sponsorship of pre-school brand The Fluffy Club and sponsorship of the station’s mother and baby series, The Baby Breakfast Club.

easidream is delighted to announce that its innovative baby sleep products will shortly appear on the JoJo Maman Bebe website.

The kiddy infinity pro has been voted Best Value Group 1 car seat in the May issue of Prima Baby magazine. The design, which has already picked up two awards from Which? magazine for coming top in its class continues to go from strength to strength.

Clarion has announced that the link for buyers to register their interest in visiting the Baby Show for Trade is now live. 

FQ magazine, ‘the essential dad’s mag’ has launched itself into the digital era with the FQ eZINE! This easy to use interactive online magazine will now not only feature the same great articles as the printed copy but also offers super fast loading video, animated graphics to enrich the already great FQ reading experience!

Taga is excited to announce that its innovative Taga stroller bike has been chosen to receive the Silver Award from the leading Bizziebaby parenting website. The panel of three young mums reviewed the Taga stroller/bike over an extended 3 month period and quickly discovered that they loved the product and the practicality and freedom it offered them as a family.

Baby Brands Direct is always striving to stay ahead of the competition by offering its customers the best service possible, and to achieve this it has added a selection of product demonstrations and video music clips to its website.

Treasure Trove Nursery division is pleased to announcement that Paul Devlin will be responsible for BRIO Nursery products from Treasure Trove Nursery Division with immediate effect across Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

Hippychick celebrated its 10th birthday year with the introduction of three exciting new ranges at Harrogate. Moover toys, a luxury brand of Danish designed mobile wooden toys was there to make its debut. So too was the Wilkinet baby carrier, which will be distributed exclusively by Hippychick this Spring. My Buggy Buddy Clip and My Buggy Buddy Lock were also unveiled as two new 'must have' pram accessories. No surprise then that the Hippychick stand was busy throughout the event, with Kate Hutchings reporting a 'brilliant show' well attended by buyers.

Kiddy, the manufacturer of innovative, top quality car seats has brought itself right up to date with a new global brand identity which reflects the company’s strong sense of innovation and modernity.

Baby healthcare brand JOHNSON’S® Baby, is launching its first ever digital out of home campaign on Baby TV, the screen network located in antenatal clinics across the UK.  The brand building activity started on 1^st April and will run on the Baby TV network for 10 months and reach over 63% of all pregnant women.

Leading business women from across the UK, including secret millionaire Hilary Devey, have been short-listed for the It’s a Woman’s World Gala Evening which takes place on Friday 11^th June at The ICC in Birmingham.

Baba Me Ltd, European distributors of the multi-award winning bumGenius nappy range, have launched a ground breaking campaign to give away up to 90,000 bumGenius All In One Extra Small nappies!

Claire Mitchell won the National Women on Their Way Outstanding New Product Award at the awards ceremony at Aston Villa Football Club on Friday 19^th March 2010 for her product Chillipeeps, which was the winner of the BPA Concept and Innovation Awards in 2009.

Since its launch only four weeks ago, over 30 brands have committed to the Baby Show for Trade including Silver Cross, Bambino Mio, Tutti Bambini, One Life, Funky Feet Fashions, Koochu, Lollipop, Griptight, Babyboomboom, Babyface, Nuvo, Ritmo, Konfidence, Buggysnuggle, Aquasolari, Nappy Wardrobe, Cheeky Wipes, Gifted by Nature and Angels First Aid. Many more are on reserve and will be announced shortly.

The Baby Products Association has opened its 2010 Concept & Innovation award programme that encourages product innovation within the nursery sector.  For the finalists over the past seven years, it has proven to be a key channel for promoting and even launching their new products.  

Harrogate Nursery Fair 2010 is only just over one week away and with over 200 companies to see and with Hall D added to accommodate the increase in the number of exhibitors, it is a must for every retailer to visit; it is also very important that you leave enough time to see the whole show as there are now seven Halls to visit.

Business Recovery Experts, Bridge Business Recovery LLP, have successfully brokered a deal for a consortium of high profile business experts to buy nursery brand retailer Two Left Feet out of administration.

Dorel is voluntarily recalling all Maxi-Cosi FAMILYFIX bases sold before 4 March 2010.

BabaSlings' real focus for this year is to work with retailers and provide them with as much support as possible to help drive sales.

The Baby Products Association would like to announce the appointment of Robert Anslow as its new Managing Director.

Building on the success of its consumer-facing The Baby Shows, Clarion Events is launching The Baby Show for Trade: a brand new destination event at the start of the buying season for the baby and nursery industry.

Dorel would like to advise that there was an error in the copy supplied for the February issue of Nursery Industry regarding the Maxi-Cosi Pebble car seat. The Pebble is a Group 0+ car seat suitable from
birth until approximately 12 months (0-13kgs).

The Baby Products Association is pleased to announce the launch of its new-look website: www.thebpa.eu

It is with profound sadness that Amie Beamish and Karen Stockford of the Home and Nursery Company, share the news that their dear friend and inspirational colleague Evelyne Ernst from Little Company (Netherlands) has lost her battle with cancer and passed away on Sunday 14 February.

She leaves behind her husband Marc Ernst and daughters Michelle and Gigi who will continue to run the company in her memory.

Cuddledry has raised £3000 for Bliss (the special care baby charity) through sales of its limited edition ‘Kangaroo care’ Cuddledry apron towel. The idea for the charity baby bath towel came about when one of the Cuddledry team had her little girl prematurely at just 24 weeks gestation.  Now a gorgeous healthy two year old, little Maggie this week presented the donation cheque to Bliss and one of the team from the NICU at St Michaels Hospital Bristol where she was cared for.

TensCare has appointed Sarah Tague as National Accounts Sales Manager.

 Sarah joins TensCare after successfully developing and launching her own company MYVISTA and bringing to the market a range of portable first aid guides under the brand name INDICARE™.

Pre-school property Zigby made its magazine debut in the UK this month thanks to a new deal with BBC magazines.

The new license means DRi Licensing’s colourful children’s property will regularly star on the pages of CBeebies Weekly, Toybox and CBeebies Animals. Zigby, the cheeky and spirited zebra, made his first appearance in the February issues of CBeebies Weekly and Animals.

It’s all hands on deck at the Cosatto camp and plans for Spring/Summer 2010 are well underway; ready and raring to go for “Sneaky Peek Week” commencing Monday 22^nd February until 5^th March.

Skibz, makers of the stylish award-winning dribble bib that looks like a fashionable bandana, are launching a new organic range specifically designed for newborns and young babies.

Following the huge success last year, the Harrogate Nursery Fair is again providing a night out at the Majestic Hotel to say thank you to all the exhibitors and visitors who are attending the exhibition. 

Tommee Tippee, the UK’s leading brand of baby accessories, has been launched in the United States.

John Lewis is to start selling Kiddy car seats from this February at six of its largest retail stores including Oxford Street and Bluewater. The retail giant has decided to put its full support behind the Group 1/2/3 ‘kiddy comfort pro’, design, which has excellent safety features including the kiddy ‘impact shield’ for use up to 18kg, and a very long useful life.

BABYDAN has appointed Treasure Trove Nursery division as its Exclusive Distributor partner for Independents and Key Accounts. From February 1^st 2010 Treasure Trove Nursery will handle the sales, trade marketing and distribution of the full BabyDan range including Home Safety, Nursery Furniture and Bedding across England, Wales and Scotland.

Sunshine Kids has announced the appointment of established nursery industry agent Donna Read, who will cover Scotland for the company.

I'm sorry to have to inform you that Peter White has resigned from his position as Chief Executive of the BPA and will leave at the end of October to take up a new position as CEO of a larger trade association which looks a good and understandable move for him.

Jané has confirmed its position as a market leader in innovation and quality by scooping a Gold first prize for its Energy pushchair at the coveted 2009 Practical Parenting awards. This puts the Energy firmly in front as leading pushchair in its field.

Becothings, the company producing eco-friendly alternatives to every-day products, is thrilled to announce the launch of the BECOPOTTY into nationwide John Lewis stores in 2010. The BECOPOTTY is currently stocked in JoJo Maman Bebe stores and other independent retailers - www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk

Weybury Hildreth has been appointed by PurFlo as UK distributor for its healthy, anti-allergenic SleepSystem Mattresses and SleepSac's.

After just 1 year in the European market, JJ Cole Collections is proud to announce strong growth, with partnerships with some of the leading retailers in the European nursery industry.

Tippitoes is delighted to announce it has been awarded two accolades in the 2009/2010 Practical Parenting Awards. With a high volume of products entered, Tippitoes was up against stiff competition from the cream of the industry and ultimately scooped the top Gold Award in the Cot/Cotbed Category for its Littondale Cot and Silver in the Safety Gate Category for the Swing Shut Safety Gate.    

At the Practical PreSchool Awards earlier today, John Crane scooped the prestigious Overall Award for Toys and Games with the unusual entry of its Red Musical Instrument Set.

Come and talk to Becci and Sue at BPA Baby&Child, taking place on 11th,12th and 13th October 2009, at London's ExCel. Official sponsors of the Launchpad, you will find the Ni team at stand number LP63.

Yorks Trade Fairs are trade fair accommodation and travel specialists who are familiar with the various European Fairgrounds and the best hotels to use for convenience. The staff have a great deal of local knowledge about Cologne and can offer advice about the city, the Kind + Jugend Show, the best ways of getting there and where to stay.

The NATLL Good Toy Awards has announced its winners and PlayMais is delighted to accept a Gold Award in the creative toys category.

TrendyKid Distributors of Juvenile Products with offices and warehouses in the USA and UK are now able to offer UK businesses an opportunity to build their sales and brand in the USA by expanding their fulfillment services to the UK clients.  

Here's a first sneak preview of new Taggies Babywear which will be making its first appearance at this weekend's Bubble Kids Trade Show in London's Business Design Centre, Islington.

For the upcoming edition of FIMI, the most prestigious International Children's Fashion Fair celebrated in Spain, ASEPRI (Spanish Manufacturers Association of Children's Products) this week presented the ‘españa' trademark, an initiative which represents the value and essence of Spanish companies in the children's fashion and childcare product sector.

In response to the British Medical Journal's (BMJ) study about the use rear facing car seats until the age of four, the Baby Products Association (BPA) raises a number of issues relating to their use in the UK.

PJP www.pjpartnership.co.uk  has been appointed to launch the Aquasolari bed pad, said to be the perfect way of dealing with wet beds for toddlers, children as well as mums-to-be.

Since its launch at BPA Baby & Child 2008, Janet Theodore is stepping up the PR and marketing activity for its innovative Breast Feeding Pouch, by teaming up with Bedfordshire-based Kaleidoscope Communications.

Newly appointed sales agent, Natasha Dudnik will take over the London, Middlesex, Kent, Surrey and Sussex area for John Crane Ltd with immediate effect.  Natasha, formerly the company's specialist Sales Consultant in Harrods, has been with the company for over six years so has a wealth of experience of all the company's collections.

A new survey* conducted by Maclaren Buggys and BackCare, ‘The Charity for Healthier Backs', has revealed that 83% of Mums suffering from back pain believe it has been caused or exacerbated by their children. Mums cite pregnancy as well as the day-to-day lifting and carrying of their children as the main reasons but the survey highlighted a significant proportion of these mums (73%) also link back pain to pushing, folding or lifting pushchairs. Sash Newman, Chief Executive for BackCare comments: "A pushchair is one of the most important pieces of baby equipment a parent buys - they will be using it constantly for years, not just months.  If you choose one that has the wrong handle height for you, is too heavy, or is difficult to fold and lift then you could be storing up some real problems for the future."

Hippychick is delighted to have been chosen as one of 10 finalists for the Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award in the National Business Awards South of England Regional Programme 2009.

Natures Purest, the organic nursery range company, has beaten off stiff competition to win ‘Best New Business 2009’ in the prestigious Leicestershire Business Awards. Natures Purest was announced as winner on the 24^th April at the Awards dinner, attended by 700 of Leicestershire’s business elite.

The recent alliance between Tippitoes and Baroo has been strengthened further with merged warehousing/distribution and sales support, providing additional customer benefits.

Children’s TV presenter Dave Benson-Phillips is returning to open the Childcare and Nursery Show for a second year because he enjoyed it so much the first time, organisers have revealed. 

Boori Nursery Furniture has appointed Alex Soultana (ex Tomy) and Scott Carruthers (ex Bugaboo) as sales representatives for their Southern and Northern areas respectively. Their roles will include staff training and product advice/updates for retailers.

Footballer Michael Duberry and his wife Natasha have launched funky new baby products website www.mummysonlinebabyshop.com

Hippychick will be supporting Baby Sense on their stand (P42) at The Baby Show, Birmingham (15-17 May), continuing to raise awareness and interest in the Baby Sense method.  The increasingly popular books and accompanying products took Harrogate by storm – if anyone who did not make it there would like Sales Manager, Peter Shaw, to visit them about this line please contact us on sales@hippychick.com.

Organisers of this year’s Childcare and Nursery Show are reporting a surge in uptake amongst exhibitors.  Nineteen new businesses have now booked space at the show in addition to those organisations already involved.

Hippychick are delighted to announce that sales of its flagship product the Hipseat are flying high with a 45% increase since 2007. 

The Baby Products Association is delighted to announce an industry victory regarding child car seat base VAT reduction – securing the only VAT reduction in this year’s Budget.

The Harrogate Nursery Fair was a major event for the newly christened Gro Company, with the Gro-clock also making its show debut: "It's designed to help children understand when it's time to sleep and when it's time to get up by using images of the sun and moon. It also comes with a free bedtime story book called ‘Sleepy Farm' which helps reinforce the message of getting a good night's sleep," explained the brand's Katy Gaulton. Customers were able to see the new Grobag Baby Sleep Bag designs for Autumn/Winter 09 and discover the company had also been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Norwegian brand Be Safe, pioneers in rearward facing car seats.

Following Harrogate, future important dates to add to your calendar are 11th-13th October, when BPA Baby & Child will be held at ExCeL in London. Please note if you're an exhibitor the priority booking discount deadline date is approaching fast so please contact us soon.

The BPA is delighted to announce the appointment of Tamsin Kirkpatrick as its new Marketing Executive.

John Crane Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Pilkington as Managing Director.  Simon moves from his current position as Managing Director of John Adams Limited and Toy Brokers Limited, to take up his new post from 1 April 2009.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) have joined forces to offer more support to smaller businesses facing skills gap issues. In particular, they are promoting the kind of support available through Foundation degree programmes provided by universities and colleges across the UK.

This month sees the Baby Products Association (BPA) launch its 2009 award programme encouraging product innovation within the nursery sector - The BPA Concept & Innovation awards.

As part of its important work for our industry the BPA actively promotes new product development through its award programme.  In previous years the scheme has been highly successful; and for the finalists has proven to be a constructive channel for promoting and even launching their new products.

The name behind classics such as Paddington Bear, Miffy and the Beatrix Potter characters is ringing in the New Year with the appointment of a new Marketing Assistant following a third year of sales growth under the guidance of Managing Director Anthony Temple.

Further to its offer of a discounted membership rate of just £45 for 2009, the Baby Products Association (BPA) has had a positive response from many retailers wanting to join BPA Retail. However, many of those applying have been disappointed as they do not fit the membership criteria. 

It is the aim of BPA Retail to inform, advise and guide members and to promote and encourage a high standard of professionalism in the nursery trade. BPA Retail aims to provide an environment where ideas, issues and experiences can be shared, and provide a common forum in which there exists a certain safety in numbers and a facility to develop and promote best practice in our industry.

The innovative car seat manufacturer ‘kiddy' uses a unique ‘impact shield' on three of its top designs. This is instead of a more traditional shoulder harness, which as many parents will know, can be fiddly to thread and adjust. Well now the company, which exports to over thirty countries worldwide, is delighted to be able to show everyone exactly why their system is so safe.

Don't miss Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen

Leading Christmas tree, lights and trim suppliers, Snowtime, are pleased to confirm that TV's favourite designer, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will be joining the team at Spring Fair from Monday 2^nd Febuary from 11am-12.30pm, on Tuesday 3^rd February from 10am-11.30am and again from 1.30pm-3pm on our stand K10/M11 at the NEC Birmingham.

Baby&More - UK distributor for the Wonder Bib range - will add a splash of colour to your shelves this spring with an exclusive 15% discount offer on all orders placed before the end of February 2009.

London, UK - January 2009: Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG) is delighted to announce the recent appointment of Rebecca Burton, who has taken up the role of Toys & Gifts Category Manager within CPLG's Entertainment division.

Tiny Dee has just been granted the license to sell the Tiny Traveller in new colours, designs and fabrics to offer retailers a fantastic range for their stores. In addition to the traditional navy option you can now get pink, sky and red alongside fashion options in cosy faux fur and fun cow print fleece! Each Tiny Traveller comes with a comprehensive information leaflet and can also be supplied with an information poster for in store display.

Directgov, the government's flagship digital service, is launching a new campaign to offer people real help with accessing public services and advice.

NScessity, the Surrey based specialist in safety and health related products for babies and children has been selected out of 85 companies by the South East Economic Development Agency (SEEDA) and identified as a company with high growth potential.  As a result they have become part of the SEEDA funded High Growth Business Coaching Programme.

The preschool toy specialists, RC2, today announce its appointment as the worldwide master toy licensee for the BBC's flagship preschool TV series, Chuggington, which is also due to be aired internationally in 100 new markets in 2009.