Distributor appoints new sales director as predecessor promoted to managing director

Gem Distribution has appointed Darren Houghton as sales director after Chris Peacock was promoted to managing director.

Houghton joined Gem in 2001 after working as UK head of sales at games publisher Sega. At Gem Houghton has been running the leisure and business divisions as general sales manager.

Chris Peacock, managing director of Gem, said: "I am absolutely confident that Darren will prove to be a tremendous success in his new role and that he will work closely with Gem’s customers, suppliers and sales management team to further improve our service levels and continue to drive Gem’s success."

Houghton said: "It is an exciting opportunity to be taking the sales reins from Chris who has been instrumental in shaping and developing Gem’s business over the last decade and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and continuing our pedigree of success."