Meet the Judges

The PetQuip Awards are evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts from across the pet care industry, ensuring a transparent and fair judging process.

Lynne Hopwood,
Sales Director, Su-Bridge Pet Supplies

As Sales Director at Su-Bridge Pet Supplies, Lynne Hopwood leads the company’s national sales strategy, heads up a brilliant team across the UK and builds strong partnerships to help grow the business within the pet industry.

With a career spanning more than 30 years, she brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for the trade — from early roles at Tesco and award-winning success at Norweb and Powerhouse, to key positions at Pets at Home and Mars Petcare.

Lynne joined Su-Bridge in 2013 as a Key Account Manager and has played a major part in the company’s growth ever since, becoming National Sales Manager in 2016 and stepping into the role of Sales Director in 2024. Known for her people-first approach and strategic mindset, she’s helped navigate industry challenges, supported the development of a high-performing team and led Su-Bridge to win PIF Wholesaler of the Year in 2022, 2023 and 2024 — a proud moment for the whole business.

Lynne’s passion for the pet trade shines through in everything she does, from building lasting customer relationships to mentoring and supporting her team.

Amy Siergiejew,
Head of Trade – Pet & Birdcare, Toys, Recreation and Foodhall, Dobbies Garden Centre

Head of Trade for General Merchandise and Foodhall at Dobbies Garden Centre which includes the Pet and Bird care category. Prior to this Amy worked for Pets at Home for 12 years looking after all things non-food, in the last seven years as Category Manager for Accessories. She has a passion for product development and innovation that supports our pets, their wellbeing and their pet parents through functionality, fun and comfort.

Outside of that Amy is a proud cat parent to four rescue moggies.

Alastair Islip,
Retail Consultant

Alastair is currently working as a Retail Consultant within the Pet industry with clients including Fressnapf and Nulo, having spent close to 20 years in Retail Buying.  Alastair was Head of Food Trading for Pets at Home until mid-2024, and before that spent 13 years with Asda which included a spell as Senior Buying Manager for Pet.  He is married to Emma, with two children Amélie (11) and Wilbur (10), and the Islip family is on hand to serve every whim of their much adored Pepper, a rescue cat they've had since she was six months old.

Jennifer Dow,
Publisher & Editor, Edition Dog

Jennifer Dow is the founder of Edition Dog Magazine, Edition Dog Professionals & Edition Dog Live, projects born from a deep love of dogs and a desire to explore their lives with thought and care. She shares her home with three Irish Setters, Lily, Alice and Walt and is a familiar face in the dog show world, regularly attending championship shows across the UK.

With a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, an MSc in Forensic Psychology, and a teaching qualification, Jennifer brings an academic foundation to her work, combining scientific understanding with a deep appreciation for the emotional connection between humans and dogs. Her writing and editorial direction reflect a thoughtful, compassionate approach to dog care, behaviour and wellbeing.

Jennifer’s world quietly orbits around her dogs. From long show days to quiet moments at home, their presence shapes her every day. Through her work, she creates space for others who share that same connection; those whose lives are, in one way or another, built around the companionship of dogs.

Claire Gavin,
Retail Consultant

Claire is a former Director of the UK’s leading pet care business, Pets at Home, where she spent 12 years in senior roles leading the strategic development, innovation and creative design of the company’s private brands.

Claire now harnesses her extensive buying, sourcing, marketing, NPD, strategic brand creation and category management experience to help other pet retail, manufacturer and vendor companies successfully grow their businesses.

Her energetic and visionary entrepreneurial style, and her consumer centric approach along with her proven track record with Pets at Home makes Claire a valuable and insightful consultant, advisor, NED and pet retail specialist.

To find out more about Claire’s consultancy services, please email claire@clairegavin.co.uk

Darrel Strachan,
Business Development Director, Copdock Mill

Darrel is responsible for identifying opportunities to further grow the business to enable the company to provide the best possible service to customers and their pets!

He has over 20 years of experience working in the retail industry, with 12 of those years spent in pet retail and 10 of them at Copdock.
Darrel has a passion for animals, so when he started out as a part time Sales

Assistant at Pets at Home after leaving school he quickly learnt that he wanted to work with both people and pets.

Originally from Yorkshire Darrel now lives in Suffolk with his wife, three children, Rocket the Cocker Spaniel and Daisy the cat.

When he is not in the office he enjoys taking Rocket for long walks in the country, spending time with family and travelling.

David Wainwright,
Commercial Director, Pets at Home

David Wainwright is a seasoned retail professional with over 20 years of experience across some of the UK’s most respected retailers, including Sainsbury’s, M&S, Safeway, and more than eight years at Pets at Home. His career has spanned a wide range of commercial roles, with deep expertise in pet product categories—both branded and own brand—sourced from a global supply base.

David first joined Pets at Home in 2011 and spent seven years helping to shape its commercial strategy before rejoining the business in February 2024. As Commercial Director, he is responsible for ensuring the company delivers market-leading products that meet the evolving needs of pet owners. He is particularly passionate about discovering and championing innovation that helps Pet Parents enrich the lives of their pets.

Known for his high energy and enthusiasm, David brings a dynamic and passionate approach to leadership. He thrives on collaboration, creativity, and a relentless focus on delivering value and innovation for customers, colleagues, and the wider pet care community.

Joe Denham,
Director General, PetQuip

Joe has been Director General of PetQuip since April 2025. He was previously Chairman of the Board of the Federation, bringing his wide commercial experience, company start up skills and mentoring talent to support and guide the team at PetQuip.

Joe, together with his business partner Paul Owen started VegTrug in 2009 which proved to be a massive success in the garden industry

Joe has a diverse background, moving from a career which started in Barclays Bank in the early 80’s, into data communications, then owning an innovative online-delivered IT training company based in Dubai, having his own show on Shopping TV for a number of years; to owning a 120 acre farm in France (producing horse feed) before starting VegTrug.

Joe has been married to Lesley for 31 years and they have four sons. He holds a commercial drone pilot licence as well as a private helicopter licence. His interests include collecting contemporary art and very fast cars!

Tony Noble,
CEO and Founder, Noble Futures

Tony Noble is the CEO and founder of Noble Futures, a specialist executive search recruitment partner for the animal and agricultural industries across the UK and Europe.

A lifelong animal and equestrian enthusiast, Tony combined his personal passions with a successful business career to establish Noble Futures in 2002. After an early career in equine teaching and competition, he moved into IT recruitment, where he discovered the satisfaction of making successful matches for clients. This experience inspired him to merge his commercial drive along with his love for animals, creating a company dedicated to finding the perfect match between top-tier talent and opportunities.

Tony's infectious energy and commitment to excellence have positioned Noble Futures as a leader in the field, where he is driven by a desire to see his clients’ businesses and the wider industry thrive, building long-term partnerships and taking the time to understand each client’s business vision truly. Tony is also a dedicated trustee for Nature's SAFE, a charity committed to preserving animals from extinction.