Johnson’s Veterinary Products, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of pet healthcare products, has appointed Matthew Gwynn BA, MA, ACIM., to the role of Assistant Sales and Digital Marketing Manager and Jack Franks BA (Hons) to the role of Assistant Purchasing & Procurement Manager.
The names will be familiar to those who know the family-owned business, as 32-year-old Matthew is the son of current Managing Director Paul Gwynn and 26-year-old Jack is the son of current Sales Director, Nick Franks.
Both Matthew and Jack forged successful careers before being invited to join the business personally by former Chairman David Johnson, who sadly passed away in July 2022. Recognising the importance of maintaining the firm’s independence, he was keen the next generation should join and bring fresh ideas and skills from outside the pet trade.
Johnson’s Managing Director Paul Gwynn commented: “The arrival of Matthew and Jack has immediately given the business a lift and David would have been immensely happy and proud had he lived to witness their first day here at Johnson’s.
“Our identity as a family business has been central to the success of Johnson’s for more than 100 years. This decision to recruit from our families is about ensuring we have the ambition, commitment and enthusiasm to continue the firm’s independent future.
“Both Matthew and Jack spent a lot of school and university holidays working here at Johnson’s, in the office and the warehouse, when their passion for the business was ignited. For everyone within the business, it’s like welcoming colleagues back to work.
“Matthew brings with him a successful track-record in sales and digital marketing and is already freshening the way we talk about our products and our brand, listening closely to what our customers want from us. I may be biased, but already the signs are incredibly positive.
“Similarly, Jack had established his career in aerospace procurement and will bring new ideas to help us better meet the changing needs of our customers. As his grandfather, there was a unique sense of pride for David Johnson when Jack agreed to join the business and secure the family connection.
“We recognise the need for youthful insight and learning, to take Johnson’s forward to face the growing challenges of the modern global commercial environment.
“Recruiting the next generation of family members into the business provides stability and continuity for us and importantly, for our customers, while ensuring Johnson’s builds on its heritage and success of the past 100 years.”
Profile - Matthew Gwynn
Age: 32
Role at JVP: Assistant Sales and Digital Marketing Manager
Experience: Having graduated with a BA in Archaeology and German from Cardiff University in 2014, I decided to pursue my interest in history and politics further and completed an MA in International Relations at The University of Birmingham. In 2016, my passion led me to my first role as Fundraising and Marketing Assistant on board HMS Warrior 1860 in Portsmouth, before moving to The National Museum of the Royal Navy working in the same field. In December 2017 I moved to Social Care in Action in Southampton, where I spent five years developing my knowledge and skills in business development and marketing that helped drive forward the organisation’s group of charitable social enterprises.
What excites you most about joining JVP:
When I received a letter through the post from Mr David Johnson inviting me to join Johnson’s I was absolutely over the moon. It’s an honour to have joined the family business and it has felt like coming home, having spent many years working in the warehouse and in the office during holidays.
I am immensely proud to be following in my father’s footsteps in playing an important role in building on the Johnson’s legacy and its success as a leading and trusted pet healthcare brand that has been caring for the nation’s pets since 1921.
What really excites me is not only harnessing the knowledge and experience we already have within Johnson’s, but also the opportunities we have before us: improving our digital marketing offer and how we communicate with our customers and pet owners about who we are and what we do; bolstering our strong relationships with pet shops and pet stores; and growing sales both in the UK and overseas. I am looking forward to facing the challenges ahead and helping to ensure Johnson’s thrives for many years to come.
What do you think the future holds for the pet industry:
It’s already clear to me that the needs of our customers and pet owners are constantly changing, which means that we have to remain agile and open to new ideas and new ways of communicating. Digital communication has become an important way of achieving this, particularly among younger people and we therefore need to keep up with these changes.
Due to the current economic climate, it’s vital that we continue to offer products that are high-quality, effective and affordable. However, our research has also indicated that the majority of pet owners care more about their pet’s wellbeing than their own. This could perhaps be one of the reasons behind the rise in ‘boutique’ pet shops and the different types of products they stock – something that we need to watch closely and adapt to moving forward.
Finally, a challenge for Johnson’s will be its stance on online sales versus how other pet healthcare businesses are heavily investing in e-commerce. While Johnson’s recognises the power of online selling, it remains committed to supporting independent pet shops and pet stores, and does not sell to grocery or to Amazon either. We have always recognised the importance of pet shops and pet stores as hubs of knowledge and (often long-standing) experience, and we want to continue to support them and champion their success.
Favourite Animal, and why: It would definitely be a bear – they are beautiful and majestic creatures with diverse personalities and emotions, much like us humans. It must be from watching too much Jungle Book as a child…
My favourite pet, however, would have to be a dog. Ever since we had a wonderful Cavalier Spaniel while I was growing up, I have loved dogs – they truly are part of the family.
Likes:
I am a massive history nerd, so visiting historical places and museums is always a firm favourite. I also love travelling and discovering new places to visit with my wife.
Favourite food: definitely Indian food.
Favourite TV shows: I must admit I really love the old Sharpe series – it just fulfils my historical interest and you have to love a bit of Sean Bean. However, my guilty pleasure when it comes to TV is definitely The X-Files. You just can’t beat the dynamic duo of Mulder and Scully as they investigate unexplained phenomena!
Favourite Sport: Rugby (England and Leicester Tigers)
Dislikes: Being late, not being able to speak a language when I’m abroad, and Seafood (I wish I liked it...)
Claim to fame: I got to dig with Time Team! While I was a student at Cardiff University I was lucky enough to be part of a great team that undertook a four-week archaeological excavation at a Roman site at Caerleon, South Wales. Time Team joined us for a couple of days, so it was great to meet everyone.
Profile - Jack Franks
Age: 26
Role at JVP: Assistant Purchasing & Procurement Manager
Experience: Graduated in 2018 from Nottingham Trent University with a BA Hons in Business Management & Economics. I then joined Collins Aerospace in the summer of 2018 and worked there for 5 years in the Supply Chain team gaining valuable manufacturing and logistics experience.
What excites you most about joining JVP: Being a 5th generation member of the family business is quite unique and something which I am extremely proud of. When my Grandfather asked me to join the company over a bacon butty and some chips before a round of Golf, I could see the pride in his face at the prospect of the Johnson’s brand continuing as a family run business into the future generations. It is sad that he did not get to be involved with the next phase of Johnson’s future but in his memory, this drives me even more to succeed with Johnson’s.
I want to help ensure that the Johnson’s brand continues to lead the UK pet healthcare market of the future, building on the already fantastic foundation with implementing new innovative product ideas and manufacturing and operational processes.
It is exciting to join an already successful business and to help path its way for the future, continuing to meet modern pet-ownership trends and also to keep providing new, effective and affordable products to the pet trade, something which Johnson’s has done for over 100 years.
What do you think the future holds for the pet industry: Something that I will help oversee at Johnson’s is packaging waste, and as this gets more traction in the UK it will be interesting to see if any ‘refillable’ trends occur. Something I have seen in some pet shops already is refillable shampoos, so that is something Johnson’s need to keep an eye on with our goal of reducing our single use plastic packaging consumption.
A booming E-Commerce sector is an interesting proposition for Johnson’s, as the independent pet trade is such a critical part of our business and heritage. Johnson’s will need to continue to bang the drum and focus on publicly and play a part in raising awareness of independent pet shops to the pet owning generations of the future.
From our recent Pet Owner Survey Report, it is evident people spend heavily on their pets, and in a time of economic uncertainty and cost of living crisis this is still ringing true. With a rising number of ‘Boutique’ products on the market, it will be interesting to see whether this trend buckles or continues to rise, and something Johnson’s has to consider alongside the current product range for potential long term strategies.
Favourite Animal, and why: Dog, man’s best friend!!
Likes: Watching Aston Villa, playing Tennis & Golf, countryside walks (and pubs), eating Pizza & Pasta,
Dislikes: Sci-Fi films, Musicals and a dirty car!
