The pet industry is set to lose one of its much-loved personalities as Gabriela Lerner is leaving Collarways at the end of the month.

Gabriela, who launched the company with her husband Neil Baird 10 years ago, said: “I'm ready to move on. Neil and I run a little holiday let in Dorset and we both want to spend more time at home to look after the property and spend more time with each other.”

Neil left the Collarways business a year ago, and Gabriela has been running the company with Katie Goldsmith for the past few years.

“This has been a step-by-step acquisition for Katie over the past two years. Currently, we both own 50% of the business and Katie will be taking on a larger percentage over the next three months. I will be keeping a small share in the business but I'm resigning from operational activities.

“I don't think I will miss the industry as such but I will certainly miss the wonderful people I have met through it. It is such a nice industry where you mostly find good relationships between competitors.

“Many customers have become friends over the years and catching up at the trade shows in person has always been something I particularly enjoyed about the business.

“The great thing is that I'm handing over to Katie, who I know will carry on Collarways with the same values and focus on excellent customer service as when the company started 10 years ago.

“Katie has all the skills necessary and has already been the main decision maker in the past six months. Handing over the business to her was carefully planned and the transition has been incredibly smooth.”

Katie Goldsmith said: “They are certainly big shoes to fill, but I have learned a great deal from Gabriela, and her continual support in the background means a lot - we'll just meet over dinner rather than in the office! She is a great friend and the whole team will miss seeing her on a daily basis.”

For information about Collarways’ products visit www.collarways.co.uk



Katie Goldsmith, seen here with her pet chihuahua Bob, is taking full control over the running of Collarways.