See all the news from IDS, and about IDS in the media
IDS shortlisted for two International Trade Awards
June 2013
South West Business Insider today revealed the companies battling it out for the inaugural South West International Trade Awards, which celebrate the success of the region's businesses on foreign shores.
The black tie event is to be held at the Bristol Hotel on 12 June 2013 and will reward those local businesses that are excelling across the globe through their excellence in service provision, manufacturing and innovation.
There are ten categories including awards for manufacturers, businesses in the services industry and companies operating in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
South West Business Insider editor Neil Tague said: "This is the first year for the South West International Trade Awards, and we've been overwhelmed by the response – we know there is a growing engagement with international trade among South West businesses, and the volume and quality of entries we've received really backs this up."
The full list of shortlisted companies is:
Small manufacturer (sub-£10m turnover)
Prima Dental Group
Green Fuels
Pulse Roll Labels
International Dance Supplies
SFL Flues & Chimneys
Large manufacturer (£10m-plus turnover)
Lye Cross
Gro Company
Alderley plc
Swallowfield
UTC
Services
Haseltine Lake
G3 Systems
JELC
Davis Langdon
SACO
ISC
WA Consultants
Kwintessential
International Deal of the Year
Pulse Roll Labels
FoodLynx
Lovehoney
International Newcomer
Ratio
FoodLynx
Sharpham Park
International Trade Ambassador
Charles Baughan, Westaway
Rhydian Pountney, Renishaw
Lyn Palmer, Business West
Anne Walker, International Dance Supplies
International Brand
Frugi
Lovehoney
Merlin Glass
International Newcomer
Ratio
FoodLynx
Sharpham Park
International Company of the Year
Gro Company
Vi-Spring
Advanced Insulation
UTC
IDS Expanding Business Internationally
May 2013
If you'd like to know a bit more about IDS, and see behind the scenes at our offices in Newton Abbot, a short film about us is currently featured on the Telegraph Business Club web page alongside many other award winning companies. It's a fascinating insight into how we started and why we try to put dance teachers at the forefront of everything we do.
See the video here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/business-club-video/consumer-and-retail-sector-vide/9956465/international-dance-supplies.html
IDS Wins Venda Ecmod Direct Commerce Award 2013 for Best B2B Business in the £5 to £30 million Category
April 2013
It was a hat trick at Stamford Bridge when IDS picked up the Venda ECMOD Award for Best Business B2B £5 to £30 million category for the third year in a row. The glittering ceremony took place at the famous Chelsea Football Club stadium and was hosted by Sky News’ Dermot Murnaghan. Here are Jillian, Anne and Jonathan collecting their award.
Venda Ecmod Direct Commerce Award
April 2013
IDS have been shortlisted for the Venda Ecmod Direct Commerce Awards!
The winners will be announced in London on Thursday 18th April. 35 companies alongside IDS have made the shortlist including Argos, John Lewis, Seasalt, Victoria Plumb, The White Company, Scotts of Stow and WorldStores.
The prestigious Venda Ecmod Direct Commerce Awards celebrate business excellence among cataloguers and multichannel marketers, the shortlist includes companies in the running for all categories, including the Direct Commerce Readers’ Choice Award, outstanding customer service, best catalogue creative and production, and best use of social media.
Read more: http://www.ecmod.site.powa.com/page/Awards+Shortlist
Trustee of the Dance Teachers' Benevolent Fund
February 2013
We are delighted to announce that Anne was recently asked to become a Trustee of the Dance Teachers’ Benevolent Fund.
The fund was founded in 1979 to provide financial and practical assistance to qualified dance teachers of any age who are suffering temporary or long term hardship. It is the only fund that cares for teachers of dance from all disciplines, regardless of their professional affiliation. (Charity Number 278899)
News & Views - Autumn & Winter 2012 Newsletter
December 2012
Click on newsletter thumbnail below to open our News & Views | Autumn & Winter 2012 pdf edition in full
Dance Proms 2012
November 2012
Anne, Jonathan, Kate and Ami spent a wonderful evening at The Royal Albert Hall on 4th November where IDS hosted the VIP reception for this year’s Dance Proms.
Some 200 people attended the reception prior to the performance, with such dance luminaries as Dame Monica Mason, Wayne Sleep OBE, Strictly star and new president of The Royal Academy of Dance Darcey Bussell and Matt Flint as well as CEOs of the RAD Luke Rittner, the IDTA, Keith Holmes plus management and council members from the ISTD.
After the reception they joined the audience for a fabulous evening watching over 400 students from 18 different dance schools dance routine after fantastic routine in a variety of genres from classical ballet to urban street. The choreography was of an incredibly high standard and the creativity proved the UK’s dance teachers are leading the way in dance education.
As well as hosting the reception, IDS gave each of the 400 plus performers and dance teachers a goody bag.
"Competing and Winning in The US Market"
October 2012
Jillian, our Systems Manager, spent 4 incredible days as one of 19 carefully selected candidates on the United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) Scholarship Programme in Chicago. The course, entitled ‘Competing and Winning in the US Market’, offers UK businesses a unique opportunity to attend this prestigious executive programme at the world renowned Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Chicago.
IDS has worked closely with the UKTI over the last few years on several international initiatives including the American launch of the US Catalogue and website in New York back in 2009, right up to the present.
IDS Supporting Dance Proms 2012
September 2012
We are delighted to be supporting Dance Proms 2012, a unique and exciting event that celebrates the wealth of talent among the nation's young dancers and culminates in a gala performance at the Royal Albert Hall on 4th November 2012.
Dance Proms was launched last year to find the UK and Irelands most talented dance students - in all dance genres, from ballet to ballroom, salsa to street dance and jive to jazz dance - and offer them a unique opportunity to perform on stage at one of the world's most prestigious venues. It is supported by dozens of top names from the dance world and Dance Proms patrons include Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova, Matt Flint, Chris Hollins, Len Goodman, Wayne Sleep OBE and the RAD's President, Darcey Bussell CBE.
This year's 450 students will go on to perform alongside guest appearances from Strictly Come Dancing's Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova. Find out more about Dance Proms at www.danceproms.co.uk and book tickets at www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/dance-proms/default.aspx
Teenagers Celebrated At Awards and Talent Show
June 2012
INSPIRATIONAL teenagers have been honoured at South Devon College.
A new awards and talent show was held for the first time this year to showcase all the good things young people are doing in the region.
Read more: http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Teenagers-celebrated-awards-talent/story-16311808-detail/story.html
News & Views - Spring & Summer 2012 Newsletter
May 2012
Click on newsletter thumbnail below to open our News & Views | Spring & Summer 2012 pdf edition in full
IDS Wins Ecmod Direct Commerce Award 2012 for Best B2B Business Award in the £5 to £10 million Category
March 2012
For the second year running, and fourth time in total, IDS won the ECMOD Award for Best Business in the B2B £5 to £10 Million Category.
The award ceremony was held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 27th March and was attended by Anne, Jillian, Jonathan, Allison and Emily.
IDS shortlisted for Ecmod Best B2B Business Award in the £5-£10 million category
March 2012
For more details, visit www.ecmod360.co.uk/awards
Dance Supplies: Good Moves
December 2011
Anne Walker yesterday picked up a NatWest Everywoman Award at the Dorchester Hotel in London – the only manufacturer to emerge victorious.
The 56-year-old entrepreneur designs, makes and supplies dance equipment from leotards and tap shoes to ballet dresses and costumes to customers around the world.
Victorious: Anne Walker makes and supplies dance equipment
Based in Devon, her company International Dance Supplies is the UK’s largest wholesale dancewear supplier with turnover of £8million and 60 staff. Exports make up 15 per cent of the business, with customers as far afield as Australia, and the company has been endorsed by ballet dancers including Darcey Bussell and Francesca Filpi.
Having launched in the US two years ago, IDS recently won the contract to supply the American Ballet Theatre.
‘We are very proud to manufacture in the UK. It is challenging but we are continuing to grow and we are ahead of last year', said Walker. 'We have lots of plans for further growth both in the UK and overseas.'
‘We only launched in America two years ago and there is lots of potential to grow there.’
Walker started out at the age of 17 when she opened a dance school in Liverpool. From the outset, she supplied her students with leotards and shoes, and soon went into full-time production.
Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2071319
Inspirational Anne is recognised with a national business award
December 2011
A Devon businesswoman who started her career teaching dance in church halls has been awarded a national business award to recognise her role as an inspiration for women aged 50-plus.
Anne Walker, chief executive of the Newton Abbot-based International Dance Supplies, has been named winner of the everywoman Hera Award, sponsored by Bluefin.
The award was one of several handed out at the Dorchester Hotel, in London, on Thursday, to celebrate women in business.
IDS supplies dance-related products including costumes and footwear nationally and internationally. Anne started out making costumes for her pupils, but soon saw the business potential in her designs and graduated to a second hand industrial sewing machine thanks to a £50 loan from her mother.
Exports now make up 15 per cent of IDS sales and, to counter recruitment problems, Anne has designed and set up a university accredited distance learning qualification to develop future talent.
Wendy Manfield, relationship director at overall awards sponsor NatWest, said: "Working with Anne has been truly inspirational and this award is testament to her drive behind a successful business."
http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Inspirational-Anne-recognised-national-business/story-14101523-detail/story.html
Role Model Entrepreneur Shortlisted for NatWest everywoman Award
November 2011
Anne Walker’s route to business success is the stuff of legend. Written off by her convent school she knew she had a passion for dance, but nothing else. She began her career teaching dance in a church hall and today heads International Dance Supplies (IDS) the world-leader in wholesale dance supplies, an international, multi-million pound operation whose endorsees include Darcey Bussell, Wayne Sleep and Francesca Filpi. The Devon-based businesswoman is named today as a leading contender for this year’s NatWest everywoman Awards, one of Britain’s most revered prizes honouring British entrepreneurial success. More information...
News & Views - Autumn & Winter 2011 Newsletter
October 2011
Click on newsletter thumbnail below to open our News & Views | Autumn & Winter 2011 pdf edition in full
International Dance Supplies wins major US contract
May 2011
Devon-based dancewear specialist International Dance Supplies have secured a major contract to supply the USA’s national ballet company, American Ballet Theatre.
The firm will supply the official dance uniform for the prestigious company’s training programme. IDS currently sells more than 8,000 theatrical costumes and dancewear to dance teachers and schools in nearly 40 countries, including the USA.
The contract with the US came about after IDS founder and CEO Anne Walker and Development Manager Andrew Ward, visited the ballet company in New York to watch a warm-up class. An informal chat with ABT’s Executive Director Rachel Moore followed, and the word has developed from there.
Anne Walker, who is also a CatEx Advisory Board member, said, “More and more, we find ourselves on the world stage. We have over 30 years of experience in the dancewear business, providing quality products, but the key to success is working with companies that share the same brand values as yourself. With ABT, we have a true partnership - strong, supple, reliable and without fuss!”
http://www.catalogueexchange.co.uk/catalogue_exchange_news_details.asp?id=249
News & Views - Spring & Summer 2011 Newsletter
May 2011
Click on newsletter thumbnail below to open our News & Views | Spring & Summer 2011 pdf edition in full
Catalogue of success
April 2011
INTERNATIONAL Dance Supplies has beaten major retailing brands to take a top accolade.
The Newton Abbot-based dancewear catalogue company has been named as one of the best at the ECMOD Direct Commerce Awards.
The cream of the UK's multi-channel retail sector gathered at the Lancaster London for the awards, which are given to companies that show flair and commitment in the catalogue and multi-channel sector.
The ceremony was presented by Sky News anchor Dermot Murnaghan.
IDS clinched the top spot in the category for best all-round business or brand with annual sales of between £5 million and £10 million.
Founder and company boss Anne Walker received the award from Mr Murnaghan. She was joined by IDS systems and production manager Jillian Bamsey and Emily Antrobus the company's finance manager.
Ms Walker said: "I couldn't quite believe it – to win in such a highly sought-after category really does put us on the map and will inspire me to take the company to the next level."
Dance business nets Anne an MBE
February 2011
A SUCCESSFUL South Devon businesswoman has been honoured by the Queen.
Anne Walker, the chief executive of Newton Abbot-based International Dance Supplies received an MBE for services to business.
IDS is the UK's largest dancewear supplier with an annual turnover of over £7 million and a 12,000 customer base of dance teachers and shops. Ms Walker started the firm with a £50 loan from her mother in 1978. It is now one of the country's leading companies and its boss has been recognised with accolades from inside and outside of her industry.
And now she has been handed the cream of the crop. She travelled to Buckingham Palace where she was presented with her gong by Prince of Wales.
She was joined by her husband Ian Ferguson and her fellow IDS work colleagues Jillian Bamsey and Kate Ellis. She said: "I was nervous but the smile I received from Prince Charles certainly made me feel very much at home."
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/regionalnews/Dance-business-nets-Anne-MBE/article-3237747-detail/article.html
CatEx Advisory Board Member Anne Walker receives MBE at Buckingham Palace
February 2011
Catalogue Exchange Advisory Board member Anne Walker has been presented with an MBE for services to business, at a glittering ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Anne, CEO of Devon-based International Dance Supplies, received her award from HRH The Prince of Wales. She was joined by her husband Ian Ferguson and IDS colleagues Jillian Bamsey and Kate Ellis.
Anne said: "Of course I was nervous but the smile I received from His Royal Highness certainly made me feel very much at home. At that very second I was reminded of a motto, 'people do business with people'. If you get on with someone you will do good business with them. I now see His Royal Highness in a new and affable light."
http://www.catalogueexchange.co.uk/catalogue_exchange_news_details.asp?id=223
American Ballet Theatre names International Dance Supplies as the Sole Supplier of the Official Uniform
December 2010
