Coats Group plc, the world’s leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, has appointed Anna Mitchell as Managing Director of its UK Crafts business.  Anna has been with Coats since 2012 and was previously Group Director of Communications, which also included overseeing investor relations.

Anna will be responsible for ensuring the profitable and successful operation of the UK Crafts business through developing and implementing its business strategy and activities, including financial and commercial metrics, customer and supplier relations, sales, marketing and distribution.  The Coats Crafts business has undergone change recently with the sale of the EMEA Crafts business to the Aurelius Group.  The deal, which was announced in February and completed in July, excluded the UK Crafts business which remains part of Coats, as does the Americas Crafts business.

Michael Schofer, CEO Crafts, Coats plc, said: ‘The UK is an important sales and distribution market for some of the best known textile craft brands and we have strong relationships with large retail chains, online players, independent retailers and some exceptional designers.  Anna will be a great asset to our business as we build and develop it further in this key market.’

Profile

Anna, who will continue to lead the Diversity and Inclusion initiative at Coats, has a background in business and financial management, brand, marketing, customer service and on and offline communications.  Prior to joining Coats in 2012, she spent over 11 years as Head of Global Communications at the international law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.  She has also previously worked at law firm Herbert Smith Freehills, the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants and in consultancy.

Anna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in organisational communications and marketing as well as a Master of Arts, Communication from Charles Sturt University (Australia).  She also has an Associateship Diploma, Finance from the Institute of Financial Services and a Graduate Certificate in Management and Business Administration from Mt Eliza Business School.  She won International PR Professional of the Year at the 2008 Legal Marketing Awards.

Anna is a company appointed Director on the Coats Pension Plan Trustee Board, and is based at the Coats UK Crafts head office in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.

ENDS