Simon Lee leaves Gem

Gem’s commercial and marketing director Simon Lee has left the company’s ranks, MCV can reveal.

Lee joined Gem from former distributor EUK, and oversaw departments such as Purchasing and Gem Creative. He was also responsible for the product management team, which involved working with key vendors, securing potential new vendors and sourcing and launching new products and distribution deals.

Taking over his role is former general sales manager Tracey Tennison, who has been promoted to head of purchasing with immediate effect.

Tennison joined Gem’s sales team in 2005, following ten years of sales experience, and was responsible for all sales activity in the National Accounts, Catalogue, Leisure and Business sales departments. In her new role, Tennison will report to Gem managing director Chris Peacock.

I would like to thank Simon Lee for his contribution to the amazing success that Gem has enjoyed in the last three years, commented Peacock.

I am confident that Tracey Tennison will prove to be a more than capable replacement as we continue to develop the business and our supplier relationships in a professional and structured manner.

The changes are part of a re-structure to Gem’s purchasing and product management teams. The distributor is currently recruiting a head of national accounts and a general sales manage to replace Tennison’s previous sales roles.

2009 has been a triumphant year for Gem, with the firm celebrating its 25th year in business earlier this year. Gem Creative also triumphed at this year’s PC Retail Awards.