Alison Richards - Non Executive Director

It is with deepest regret that I have to announce that Alison Richards, our Independent Non-Exec Director for the past nine years, died earlier this week.

Alison started her retail career as a Homewares Buyer with Boots.  After five years, and after a short spell as a Product Manager with Lyons Bakery, she joined Habitat in 1979 as a Toy and Accessories Buyer for what was then an independent group of 29 years.  She was quickly promoted and, when the company went public in 1983, she was invited to join the Board as Buying Director.

Over the next few years Habitat changed and Alison decided to seek pastures new.  She joined Pier Imports of France in 1988, which was then planning to set up a UK subsidiary.  Alison established this new business, opening the first store in Richmond in November 1989.  In 1991 she bought out the French interest and linked the UK business with the originators of the business concept, Pier One Imports of the USA.  As Managing Director, Alison almost single-handedly built  up the UK business to the success that it was, eventually selling her share back to the US Parent Company a short time before her illness.

She was a passionate supporter of UNICEF and until the Summer of 2007 she was vice-chair for the Board of trustees of UNICEF UK.

Alison had a confident and extrovert personality which, combined with her retail experience and entrepreneurial style, always ensured she gave her Board colleagues forthright, sensible, rational and, yet, uncomplicated advice.  She fought her illness bravely for some months and will be sorely missed by her family, friends and business colleagues.

On behalf of Beales, I have sent our sincere condolences to her family

Allan Allkins
Chief Executive