New store manager rides into town

A new store manager has been appointed at Fairway Furniture’s Newton Abbot branch.

Andy Green, 46, said his main focus at the Newton Road branch in Kingsteignton will be on enhancing the customer experience.

Announcing the appointment, Peter Harding managing director of Fairway Furniture, said he saw the appointment as the start of an exciting new time for the store.

Peter said: “Andy joins us with a wealth of experience and at a time when we are just completing an extensive refurbishment of the showroom, to provide a truly welcoming and fresh new environment for furniture shoppers. As a business that is all about offering outstanding customer service, Andy’s passion and drive will, I am sure, see the store go from strength to strength.”

Andy, who takes up the reins this week, said: “I want to put the store back on the map for furniture shoppers. I am all about people - I work with people and I deliver results through the development of people. It is a team effort and not just about myself.

“I want to make sure the team here offers the best customer service so this fantastic locally owned Company trades for another 150+ years. Customer service is paramount to me and a lot of what I do will be based on driving further improvement.
“People buy from people. People come in with a dream or a vision for their home and we must be part of the journey to get them what they want.”

Born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Andy has a long track record in retail.

After serving in the parachute regiment, Andy began work in music industry logistics, before moving on to the pharmaceutical and tiling industries.

He was previously area business manager for Topps Tiles overseeing 23 stores. During 12 years with the firm he was instrumental in expanding the business, seeing stores launched in Bodmin, Taunton, Truro, Exmouth and Dorchester among others.

Andy is a biking enthusiast and builds his own custom-made motorcycles. He lives in Teignmouth with his wife and 20-year-old son.