Distributors of National & International Newspapers

Paul has been with Willis News Distribution for more than fifteen years and his entrepreneurial approach has enabled the company to develop into the success it is today. Paul’s innovation has driven a number of projects with many key newspaper publishers. It is his prime responsibility to drive and manage new clients, retain existing clients and oversee all external marketing programmes. Previously, Paul was involved in logistics at Diageo and also within Sales & Marketing at AIG.

Having been with the company since 1985, Lisa is now Willis News Distribution’s Finance Director. Lisa’s primary responsibility is to oversee the administrative and financial operations of the company. Lisa and her Accounts team work on all the financial matters relating to our clients covering their sometimes complex invoicing requirements through to cost centre analysis. Lisa also looks after the online administration where our customers have their own unique customer log in details to access their account. Lisa also deals with personnel matters. Lisa worked at Lloyds Banking on leaving school where she received extensive training and also at ICL in the IT department.

Mark joined the company in his early twenties and is now the company’s Logistics Director where he heads up the company’s extensive operations and logistics. It is his responsibility to oversee precisely how each delivery can be made in the most timely and efficient manner. His role also includes liaising with our wide array of suppliers from wholesalers to publishers and ensuring that our daily, weekly and monthly supply of newspapers and magazines are received, sorted, labelled, packed and despatched correctly. Mark often works nights alongside the night team to ensure that all runs smoothly. Mark’s background before joining the business was working in the news wholesale industry where he gained the full grasp of what is involved in running a newspaper delivery business.

Having joined Willis News in 1994, as the Operations Manager, Chris has perfected the ability to juggle a number of roles. She looks after day-to-day operational matters whilst managing subscriptions and manages many of our large clients having built up a first class working relationship with many of them. Chris possesses excellent training and supervisory skills and has an excellent knowledge of the industry and coverage of publications. In addition, Chris heads up our sustainability programme.

Valerie has been with Willis News since 2005 as Account Manager. During this time she has built up some excellent customer relationships. In a previous role, Valerie managed the periodicals collection where she dealt with both clients and publishers thus making her a perfect Account Manager as she totally understands what it is like to be the client and the Account Manager. Valerie liaises constantly with numerous clients on a daily basis actioning their order amendments, i.e. stoppages, starts, new supplies, holidays. This is predominantly via email but regularly on the telephone too.

Debra has been with Willis News Distribution since the beginning of 2009 but her experience in the newspaper industry spans in excess of fifteen years. Before joining Willis News Debra held several roles at the Financial Times ranging from Area Manager for the City of London rising through to UK Business Development Manager for her latter four years. She has come to Willis News with vast experience including meeting senior level executives to win new business from inception through to the implementation of the order. Debra has extensive newspaper and hotel industry knowledge and this is ideal for Willis News Distribution. She builds and manages many key business relationships.

Anna joined Willis News in 2000 and she plays a key role in the Accounts Department. Her duties include keeping up-to-date with the many BACS payments we receive on a daily basis and extensive credit control. She therefore speaks to several of our customers ensuring minimal bad debts. Anna is also responsible for the VAT reports. Anna has previously worked at the BBC and Burton Group.

Karen works part-time in our Accounts Department and her main roles are to assist with keeping payments up-to-date and general credit control. She also assists with invoicing every month ensuring that customers receive their invoices on time and that all alterations have been collated and entered. Karen will also chase outstanding payments and is responsible for the management reporting of key accounting issues. Karen previously worked as a Conference Organiser for Edexcel (formerly Business and Technical Education Council) and also for the British Library.

Terry has been with Willis News since 1998 and before that already had nearly thirty years’ experience in the industry as prior to joining Willis News he had held various managerial roles with other organisations within the trade. Terry adopts an extremely “hands on approach”. His main responsibilities as the Distribution Manager means that he ensures the newspapers and magazines are received, sorted, labelled, packed and delivered timely and efficiently. He is key in our quality control. Terry also looks after the Willis News fleet of vehicles. He truly is very hands-on and liaises competently with customers and suppliers to achieve the best outcome.

Peter joined Willis News Distribution in 1999 but has some thirty-five years experience within the newspaper industry. Peter has excellent professional knowledge and therefore as the Night Manager is ideally suited to manage the entire night operation from start to finish ensuring that newspapers are packed correctly and distributed as per our clients’ specific requirements. As there is only a small window of operation, Peter ensures the packers and drivers work to a detailed ops plan so the night operation moves swiftly and efficiently.