The UK trade body for direct-to-consumer (D2C) retail, The Direct Selling Association, members of which include leading retail brands Avon, Ann Summers and Usborne Community Partnerships, has announced two appointments to its board.
- Scott Yates has been appointed as the Association’s new vice chair following two years as a board member. Yates is managing director of Essens UK & Ireland, having joined the business in 2018. The Essens product portfolio includes a wide range of cosmetics, fragrances and food supplements, and the company has a turnover of £65m, operating in 34 countries across Europe with approximately 260,000 independent Sellers. Yates replaces Sofia Radomska, managing director of Oriflame UK & Ireland, who has stepped down as vice chair after serving two years, and remains on the board.
- Mathew Morris has been appointed as a new board member. Morris has led Herbalife’s government affairs work in the UK for four years, working closely with trade associations across a range of policy areas and priorities. Prior to this he worked in government affairs at the British Retail Consortium, leading on work around issues including Brexit, business taxes and obesity. Morris started his career working for an MP in Parliament.
The Direct Selling Association is the recognised trade body for the direct selling industry in the UK and works to uphold standards and promote and encourage best practice. Brands under the Association’s umbrella include many of the UK’s major D2C operators including Avon, Usborne Community Partnerships, Ann Summers and Oriflame. Ayo Olaseinde remains in his role as board chair.
Susannah Schofield OBE, director general of The Direct Selling Association, says: “I am delighted to welcome both Scott and Mat to their new roles on the Direct Selling Association Board. Their combined experience will be a great asset to the Association as we move forward our ambitious plans to further raise awareness of the sector and its economic contribution to the UK over the coming years.”
The Direct Selling Association’s member companies have a combined turnover of approximately £1 billion per annum, with around 500,000 independent Sellers or Affiliate Marketers.
Schofield adds: “I would also like to thank Sofia Radomska for her two years’ service as vice chair – it has been a pleasure working with her during this time.”
Mat Morris, Direct Selling Association board member, comments: “The Direct Selling Association will be increasing its engagement with Government in 2025, raising awareness and updating perceptions of this area of retail, as well as tackling the issues the industry faces.
“It is vital that the importance of this type of entrepreneurship and its circa £1 billion per annum contribution to the UK economy is both recognised and supported, especially in light of a challenging economic backdrop as we head into the new year.”
Direct selling is a channel of retail where products are sold directly to consumers outside of a fixed retail environment. This could be via social events, ‘Tupperware-style’ parties, digital social sharing or through brochure distribution. Individuals act as independent Sellers and earn through commission paid on product sales.
Direct selling operates in a similar manner to a franchise, but start-up fees are considerably lower, and it is often free to get started.
Membership of the Direct Selling Association is only granted to companies which have satisfactorily undergone a full audit process. By applying to join the Direct Selling Association, a company is proactively demonstrating its commitment to the higher standards of processes and business practices required of Direct Selling Association members compared to non-members.
