RMweb Premium John M Upton Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2018 Just seen this on Social Media. Interesting development! Changeover Time at Heljan UK2018 will see some changes in Heljan’s UK operation as Martyn Sanders retires after 15 years at the helm. His replacement will be former Model Rail and BRM editor Ben Jones, who will gradually take over responsibility for the company’s British outline products over the next few months. The role covers tasks such as product selection, research and development, UK marketing and attending major model railway shows with the Heljanteam. Ben will also work with UK retailers on special commissions, which are an increasingly important part of the company’s output. Martyn will continue to be part of the Heljan family as a consultant on ongoing new projects and special commissions. Ben has more than 20 years experience in model railway retail, publishing and product development with Rails of Sheffield, Bauer Media, Warners Group, and various others as an independent consultant since 2017. Heljan Managing Director Kim Nannestad said: “I'm really happy to welcome Ben to the Heljan family. With his experience and extensive knowledge of the British railway scene, he will be a real asset to us over the coming years.” Ben added: “I’m delighted to be joining Heljan at such an exciting time. I’m really looking forward to working with Kim and the team on existing projects, and developing some new ones for the future. I’m also looking forward to meeting plenty of loyal Heljan customers later this year at Telford and the Warley NEC show.” 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Hilux5972 Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2018 Wow Ben is really getting around isn’t he. Fantastic to read though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold BMacdermott Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2018 All the very best to Ben in this role. Brian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Congratulations to Ben; hopefully this is very good news. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Ian Hargrave Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2018 This is perhaps the best piece of news to emerge on the model rail front for a long time.No one knows the score better than Ben Jones...from both sides of the fence.All the more so is this reassuring considering a recent disappointing response from Heljan with regard to issues with their new OO GW 47XX.We look forward to sunnier days under Ben's leadership.A warm welcome from this forum member. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locoholic Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Isn't it compulsory at this point to mention the need for an RTR model of the Fell diesel?! How about it, Ben? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 All the more so is this reassuring considering a recent disappointing response from Heljan with regard to issues with their new OO GW 47XX. I've already given him a prod for a better response. Don't want him spinning round in his fancy chair when there's work to be done. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locoholic Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 I've already given him a prod for a better response. Don't want him spinning round in his fancy chair when there's work to be done. The Fancy Chair??!! He won't be expecting The Spanish Inquisition, then! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 18, 2018 Isn't it compulsory at this point to mention the need for an RTR model of the Fell diesel?! How about it, Ben? Only after a Trans-Pennine dmu and a 104. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Has he still got a RMWeb profile, perhaps he could have his inquisition with us? Fang, the fluffy pillow!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butler Henderson Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Presumably no longer editor of the Hornby Club magazine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Decorum Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Isn't it compulsory at this point to mention the need for an RTR model of the Fell diesel?! How about it, Ben? I’d be happy with 10800 to be going on with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 I think he knows the future is N, not all this 7mm malarkey 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Flynn Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Well done Ben ,I know you will be a great asset to them. Hugh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted April 18, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 18, 2018 do you think Ben sits at home looking through the job ad's going "i can do that" all the best in the new job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gismorail Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Well done Ben this is an excellent appointment by Heljan and should make for some interesting future products 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 I think he knows the future is N, not all this 7mm malarkey Too true if Heljan persist with their policy of "Almost but Not Quite Accurate" for their 7mm diesels. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertcwp Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 120 then 104 for me please. 00 gauge that is. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium jjb1970 Posted April 19, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 19, 2018 At least he knows what the Internet is and how to communicate with customers and consider their views and opinions. That'll be a huge improvement judging from current Heljan practice based, on their own comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 Hope he finds the missing railbus in 00 that they promised. Stewart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HullCityB17 Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 I hope he starts with a Class 56 & Class 58 in 7mm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 Isn't it compulsory at this point to mention the need for an RTR model of the Fell diesel?! How about it, Ben? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
'CHARD Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 A Class 06 is the next focus (says the contributor with so many Danish Blue Bo-Bo boxes that it's close on a moral outrage) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodenhead Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 A Class 06 is the next focus (says the contributor with so many Danish Blue Bo-Bo boxes that it's close on a moral outrage) But class 06s never worked with 33s Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Enterprisingwestern Posted April 19, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted April 19, 2018 Cue an O gauge 66726. Mike. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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