The Toy Retailers Association (TRA) has announced Del Crookes will be stepping down as Director-General of the Association and will be replaced by Natasha Crookes on 13 October 2021.
Del has been Director-General of the TRA since December 2019. Natasha was previously Director-General from June 2018 to December 2019, so she is actually returning to the role. She will be leaving her position as Director of Public Affairs & Communications of the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) on 12 October and will take over as Director-General of the TRA on 13 October officially.
“I’ve enjoyed the past two years working with toy retailers and serving the members of the TRA. It’s actually inspired me to open my own wine shop, bar and school in Falmouth, Cornwall”
Del Crookes
Del commented: “I’ve enjoyed the past two years working with toy retailers and serving the members of the TRA. It’s actually inspired me to open my own wine shop, bar and school in Falmouth, Cornwall. I’ll miss my interactions with the wonderful people in the industry – and especially working with TRA chairman Alan Simpson and DreamToys selection committee chairman Gary Grant. I wish the TRA and its members the very best in the future.”
Natasha added: “I’m very much looking forward to working with the TRA again, organising DreamToys [an annual major media initiative that marks the countdown to Christmas with the release of a DreamToys list of products] and representing toy retailers as part of my new PR and stakeholder engagement consultancy from October. I will give toy retailers a much-needed voice in government on issues impacting TRA members.â€
Established in 1950 and representing the majority of the toy trade, the TRA’s role is to inform and advise members on current and future legislation, as well as ethical practices in respect of toy safety, requirements under the Health and Safety Executive, consumer and employment rights. Members include Argos, Smyths, Toytown, The Entertainer and many independent shops including members of the Toymaster and plaY–room (the toy division of AIS) buying groups.
The TRA is a company limited by guarantee and controlled by its members, who elect leaders from among themselves each year. All the directors are volunteers and actively involved in the retailing of toys.
 has announced Del Crookes will be stepping down as Director-General of the Association and will be replaced by Natasha Crookes on 13 October 2021.){kind=link}