Newport retail services firm adds Celtic Manor’s Dylan Matthews to its board

A Newport retail services company has announced that Celtic Manor Resort CEO Dylan Matthews has joined its board, as it targets growth in its international exports.

Retail Merchandising Services (RMS), a firm that employs around 800 people throughout the UK, has recruited Dylan Matthews as a Non-Executive Director, spearheading its new technology division, and with the responsibility for increasing sales throughout the business.

He has also been appointed as a director of its’ Mini Checkout arm. The business, owned by RMS, has pioneered an app targeted at Britain’s 47,000 convenience retailers, an industry worth £35bn a year. It allows shoppers to scan items’ barcodes and directly charges their bank account, saving the time that would have been spent queuing in store, ensuring a more convenient, less stressful shopping experience.

RMS provides a full range of retail services to major retail chains including store design & build, recruitment, training, technology and distribution. Its client base includes national retailers such as Tesco, John Lewis, B&Q and Asda.

The company, which increased sales by 229% between 2010 and 2012, was recently awarded the title of ‘fastest growing firm in the retail and wholesale sector’ in the Wales Fast Growth 50 awards. The firm is also targeting increased sales further this financial year.

Alongside that, it’s chief executive officer, Peter O’Toole, also scooped the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the recent IWA / Western Mail Business Awards.

Dylan Matthews said:

“I’m delighted to join the board at RMS. It is one of the fastest growing companies in Wales and innovates to improve the design, layout and overall services provided by retailers across the UK.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to the entrepreneurial culture here and supporting the development of RMS’ market-leading technology offering.”

Peter O’Toole, CEO of RMS, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Dylan to the team at RMS. It’s a huge coup for us and we expect him to play a significant role in our ambitious growth plans. He brings a wealth of experience that will help us progress to the next level.

“Through Dylan’s leadership, the Celtic Manor Resort has won Best UK Hotel, at the M&IT Industry Awards, for four years in a row. The hotel will also host this year’s NATO Summit, attended by all of the world’s leaders, as well as hosting the Ryder Cup in recent years and these high profile events demonstrates the type of leadership that he will bring on board here.

“This year, we are seeking to export the RMS model, targeting growth in markets both across the UK and beyond. The key areas for growth are our unique Merchandising Standards Academy (MSA) training programmes – which have been endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management and are continuing to develop – and our new Mini Checkout smartphone app, which we believe will drive mobile payment innovation into the retail market.”