Bell and Makepeace take charge

Farnell InOne has made two significant changes to its senior management as a result of the increasing number of customer benefits of working closely with its sister company, BuckHickman InOne.

Farnell InOne has made two significant changes to its senior management as a result of the increasing number of customer benefits being realised through working closely with its sister company, BuckHickman InOne, the distributor of industrial tools and supplies, in the UK and Ireland.

The formation of a single leadership team sees James Bell appointed to the newly created position of Business Director, UK and Ireland, and Stephen Makepeace the first ever joint Managing Director of Farnell InOne UK and Ireland and BuckHickman InOne.

Since Farnell InOne's parent company, the Premier Farnell Group, acquired BuckHickman InOne (previously Buck and Hickman) in 2001, they have joined forces to deliver total procurement solutions for a range of customers.

The rebranding of both businesses in May 2003 brought them closer together with a common suffix - InOne - and the creation in 2005 of a single leadership team is seen as a natural step to better harness the combined strengths of both businesses.

Separate channels will be maintained for their customers allowing their different needs to be met, while experiencing the benefits of the combined strengths of people, products, services and technology.

Both men step into their new roles from others within the Premier Farnell Group.

Bell was previously Regional Director Southern Europe for Farnell InOne, and Makepeace was Farnell InOne's Regional Director of Western Europe.

As Business Director of the Farnell InOne business in the UK and Ireland, Bell will be responsible for overseeing and leading activity in that region.

Commenting, Bell said: "This is an exciting time to be taking up the reigns of Farnell InOne in the UK and Ireland".

"We're currently setting a real example to the rest of Europe with regard to how to handle the changes required for the impending RoHS and WEEE Directives - important not only for business but the future of the environment too".

Stephen Makepeace added: "By bringing Farnell InOne and BuckHickman InOne closer together the strengths and capabilities of the 'InOne' group of businesses can be more fully realised".

"Customers will have even easier access to the broad range of products we stock between the two businesses, and wider scope of support services that are tailored specifically to meet their needs".

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