MArk Dolder

Chief Executive Officer

Mark's career began at Marks and Spencer, where he swiftly progressed from a management trainee to holding operational store management roles for 14 years. Eventually, he gained responsibility for overseeing Marks and Spencer's second-largest store and largest region.

Following his time at Marks and Spencer, Mark took on the role of Sales Director at Norweb Retail. Within three years, he successfully grew the business from a £90 million turnover to a robust £270 million turnover, establishing it as the third largest electrical retailer in the UK. Seeking a return to his native North East, Mark then became Operations Director for Edinburgh Woollen Mill, overseeing 300 shops across various sectors.

After leaving Edinburgh Woollen Mill following its sale, Mark ventured into property development and management consultancy. Later, he partnered with Jayne Dolder, to further develop Bazaar Group.

Under the stewardship of Mark, Bazaar Group initiated the first phase of its expansion programme in 2021 when he secured a £10m majority share investment from Comhar Capital, and together have since implemented an ambitious growth plan that includes a European expansion project.

Mark's expertise in operational management, strategic growth, and successful business development initiatives make him a valuable asset to Bazaar Group as we embark on their international expansion journey.

Helen Svensson

HR Director

Helen graduated from Lancaster University, where she studied Management and Organisational Behaviour. This academic pursuit sparked her interest in understanding how people interact within organisations and what factors influence their behaviour and motivation.

In 2018, Helen joined Bazaar Group, later earning a promotion to the Board, as our HR Director. This appointment reflects the company's emphasis on valuing its employees and its commitment to attracting, developing, retaining, and motivating top talent in the North East. With a particular focus on Talent Management and Learning & Development, Helen and her HR team strive to create an inclusive and diverse work culture that fosters high performance and enables individuals to thrive while bringing their authentic selves to work.

Prior to joining Bazaar Group, Helen held a senior HR position at END. Clothing, where she successfully navigated a period of significant growth and investment. She also gained experience in HR roles at digital agency TH_NK and Carrier Rental Systems, which is a part of United Technologies Corp, a US-founded company.

Favourite product: “I’m a sun worshipper and live for the summer! It’s hard to choose one as my garden is full of Veeva Recliners and Bazaar Bags which we use for BBQs and summer get togethers. They really make the garden pop with colour and anyone who visits asks about them! If I had to choose, I’d say my fuchsia Veeva Bazaar Bag as it’s so versatile, using it as a sun lounger to propping it up as a chair.”

dan pinchard

Sales & Marketing Director

Dan joined Bazaar Group in 2022 as the Sales & Marketing Director. He brings with him a wealth of experience from his 14-year tenure at Mayborn Group, where he held various eCommerce positions and led Pan-EU development.

As the key commercial leader at Bazaar Group, Dan is entrusted with formulating, executing, and delivering the sales & marketing strategic plan. He firmly believes in empowering his team with the freedom to be creative, supported by robust processes and the power of talented individuals.

Favourite product: “At the risk of sounding clichéd, I love all the products. Being put on the spot I would choose the icon Soul Giant Two-Seater, where I can watch any and all kinds of sport in comfort with the kids (& wife).”

duncan smith

Chief Financial Officer

Duncan is an Economics graduate from Lancaster University. He has Extensive financial management experience gained from roles at Robson Rhodes (now part of Grant Thornton), Dalgety Spillers Petfood, Yoplait Dairy Crest, and 18 years at Greggs. Duncan led the strategy and business development initiatives, including overseeing the trial and roll out of Just Eat home delivery at Greggs. He transitioned to the energy infrastructure sector with M Group before joining the Bazaar Group Board of Directors in November 2023.

At Bazaar Group, Duncan serves as the CFO, overseeing Finance and IT operations while driving efforts to enhance financial performance throughout the Pan-European casual furniture business. Duncan is excited to be part of a company with immense potential for growth. He looks forward to expanding the feel-good product range and cultivating strong relationships with both new and existing customers across Europe and beyond.

Favourite product: “I have the yellow icon Dolce Lounger at home and really love it. It’s comfortable and looks stylish in the corner of the lounge. I will be adding to the collection over time!”

JAMES SIMPSON

Operations Director

James embarked on his professional journey in agriculture before transitioning into a contracting and construction career. During this phase, he demonstrated his expertise in Supply Chain and Planning by effectively contributing to various high-profile projects. Seeking new horizons, James relocated to the North East and ventured into the fields of warehousing and production. It was at Fuda where his passion for the furniture industry flourished, leading him to the role of Furniture Supervisor.

After enjoying several fruitful years at Fuda, James sought a fresh challenge and change of direction, which brought him to Bazaar Group. In his current role, James takes on the crucial responsibility of overseeing the entire operations of Bazaar Group. This encompasses overseeing production processes, dispatch operations, logistics management, facility management, health and safety compliance, and devotedly addressing the needs of our customers.

Favourite product: "I’d usually say the icon Cloud giant bean bag, but it has to be the icon Natalia armchair. It’s the most popular seat in my house and is great for cuddles and reading stories to my boys.”

christoff berlage

Head of eCommerce

With over a decade of experience in digital marketing across corporate and agency roles in Germany and the UK, Christoff offers a unique skill set in analytics, strategy, and execution to achieve impactful results.

At Bazaar Group, he plays a pivotal role in driving success by expanding the European market share through our newly launched retail brand, Mallo, and enhancing the performance of the UK and IE BeanBagBazaar retail websites. In a constantly evolving e-Commerce landscape, he ensures that our digital offerings are optimised to meet ambitious revenue growth targets.

Favourite Product: “The icon Kingston Cord Bean Bag - A fantastic solution for parents looking to engage with their kids at their level, without the back pain!  Also ideal for relaxing.”

Graeme chapman

Head of Brand & Creative

Graeme brings a wealth of experience as the former Global Graphic Design Manager at Barbour, where he cultivated his skills for 5 years before joining Bazaar Group in 2021. His primary focus centers around fostering an environment that enables individuals to express themselves, share captivating stories, and consistently deliver work of the utmost quality.

As the driving force behind both the brand and creative aspects, Graeme is responsible for translating the commercial and marketing objectives of the business into impactful assets.

Favourite product: “I’ve got an icon Oxford Real Leather armchair in my office at home. Perfect for taking a quick break (and occasionally falling asleep!).”

shaun cafferty

Head of Sourcing & Product Development

Shaun, a recent addition to the team in 2023, comes with a wealth of experience in the retail industry. Before joining Bazaar Group, Shaun held a leadership position as the head of the European Sourcing team at Made.com. During his time there, Shaun played a crucial role in establishing a brand-new team and developing a robust sourcing strategy.

Shaun's retail background includes diverse roles in merchandising, sourcing, and supply chain management at reputable companies like Homebase and Sainsbury’s. Notably, he successfully drove cost-saving initiatives, implemented cross-functional changes, and skilfully managed teams through challenging times in the supply chain.

In Shaun's current role at Bazaar Group, he leads the Sourcing and Product Development team. His primary objective is to develop a best-in-class sourcing and product development strategy that will contribute to the growth of the business.

Favourite product: “The icon Dalton Cord Recliner. I love the retro design but I am all about the comfort. Having a young family, I need a good rest sometimes, so it is perfect.”