In 1968, I arrived in sunny Sydney from Hamburg, Germany. A young and ambitious adventurer with a sharp eye for business opportunities, I embarked on an exciting journey that would shape the confectionery landscape in Australia.
With an apprenticeship in commerce and a certificate in export and import trade, I was naturally drawn to the world of freight forwarding. I spent five years working at the renowned Schenker & Co before setting up my own sales and marketing office for Rohde + Liesenfield (now Geodis/Wilson), another top German freight forwarder.
In 1983, looking for an opportunity to focus on my passion for import/export, I acquired Sweet Ring Imports, a small confectionery import company.
Since then, Sweet Ring Imports has evolved and grown into Sweet Season/Universal Candy, one of Australia’s leading importers of confectionery and novelties. During this time, I also became the majority shareholder in Accredited Distributors, one of the largest independent wholesalers of confectionery, beverages, and snack foods in Australia.
Today, supported by my amazing team, as Executive Chairman, I oversee the Universal AU Group, which includes the original Universal Candy business along with four new specialist divisions: Universal Beverage, Universal Gourmet, Universal Licensing and Universal Seasonal.
Universal AU may be one of the largest novelty candy importers in Australia, but it remains a family affair with my son Justin as Managing Director. I am proud to say that the business we have built today continues to deliver on my vision of forty years: to spread joy and laughter through many of the world’s most iconic confectionery, chocolate and beverage brands.
After completing my studies in International Business at Bond University, I briefly worked at Accredited Distributors before embarking on my career journey with Universal Candy, starting as an apprentice and gradually progressing through various roles such as Wholesale Sales Representative, National Wholesale Manager, and eventually taking on the responsibilities of General Manager and then Managing Director in 2013.
I am focused on building a business that could continue to grow my father’s vision to share the world’s most iconic novelty confectionery with every Australian.
Through the unwavering support of my father and our passionate team, we have transformed Universal Candy from a humble family start-up into a thriving confectionery import business, expanding into new areas such as Licensing, Gourmet, and Beverage.
Last year, our business achieved a turnover of over $100 million, and with recent acquisitions, we have restructured as Universal AU while maintaining our core identity as Universal Candy. Together, we continue to dream big and shape the future of our industry.
My path to the leading candy wholesale distributors in Australia began in 1983 when I joined Cadbury Confectionery and worked across all areas of the business — from Route Market sales to Grocery sales, New Business Development to Account Management and State Wholesaler Manager. I immersed myself in every facet of the industry!
In 1991, I decided to broaden my horizons and get some experience in manufacturing and importing and I worked for a couple of small, family-run businesses. In 2000 I started a management and consulting business specialising in helping the local confectionery manufacturers and importers to get their products to Australian consumers more cost-effectively.
In 2003 I was approached by The Distributors, Australia’s largest confectionery wholesale group. They offered me a national role supporting their members and I embraced the opportunity with open arms! My responsibilities included tendering for all new business, managing national accounts, and launching two trade publications, “Retail Edge” and “Price Busters”, which became key communicators to the retail trade for new lines and promotions.
I set up my own import business in 2006, developing and sourcing new children's novelties from China. Running this business solo, I oversaw everything from administration to sales.
In 2008, I joined Universal Candy, where I am responsible for sales and marketing in both Australia and New Zealand. I also lead product sourcing and development for the entire business. My passion for the industry and unwavering persistence have helped me to consistently deliver year-on-year growth for Universal Candy.
I am excited to say that after all these years we continue to open new accounts and build relationships with new agencies and our team maintains a very strong focus on building sustainable partnerships that deliver mutual success for manufacturers and retailers.
My confectionery journey began in 1983 when I joined Cadbury Confectionery as a Sales Representative in Sydney. I had a few roles within the Confectionery Sales Division, including being State Manager in South Australia.
In 1998, I headed to Melbourne to join JNH Confectionery (Funtastic Ltd). as National Wholesale Manager, responsible for introducing Kids’ Novelty Confectionery to the Route/Impulse channel and the National Petrol & Convenience sector.
In 2003 I joined the fantastic team at Accredited Distributors as Sales Manager, helping the business to grow into the novelty candy importer powerhouse it is today.
In 2012 I moved across to Universal Candy to manage all National Petrol & Convenience Accounts and key Grocery Accounts in Melbourne. Soon after that I was working across both every day and seasonal aspects of the business for all major accounts.
After 30 years working in this exciting industry, I can't wait to see where Universal Candy and I will go next as we continue to strive for even better results.
I worked in a few roles in different industries before I found my true calling in 2006 when I entered the world of sweets and treats and discovered products that I was truly excited to be selling!
In 2013 I joined Universal Candy as their National Account Manager, responsible for our Key Accounts and introducing exciting new product lines into stores.
Over the years I have developed strong relationships with a range of fantastic customers such as Aldi, Costco, Australian Post, McDonald's and 7/11.
My role at Universal Candy gives me the opportunity to really get to know our customers and understand what they require so we can create tailor-made solutions for their unique needs. This includes activities like bringing private label into major retailers and product development to meet specific requirements.
I am proud of the way Universal Candy has added value to all our customers, including the large retailers, by providing them with high margin products that boost sales and profitability into their businesses.
My passion for Universal Candy and the customers we serve continues to grow and I'm more excited than ever to keep pushing forward as I know we've got the best products on the market and the rest of our team shares the same passion for Universal Candy as I do.
Whilst I may have trained in landscape and design, I always had a sweet spot for the world of confectionery. I think it’s in my blood because my father has worked in the industry for over 30 years, so when I joined Universal Candy in 2010, I already had a lot of knowledge and experience. It felt like coming home as I got to work with the wholesalers I had known about since I was a child!
Today, I manage most of the Wholesale Distributor accounts nationally, the Metcash National account, plus all our Campbells Cash & Carry and IGA business. I am also involved with some national pharmacy distributors, toy retailers and the national leisure segment, including Dreamworld and Movie World.
More recently, over the last three years my passion for building relationships has expanded into our export opportunities, in particular South Korea where we now range products in the biggest retailer, GS Retail.
I am also passionate about developing new products. Over the last 12 years, I've had the opportunity to source and create multiple products under our incredible brands like Warheads, Zappo, Trolli, and so many more.
I am so proud to work with such a great team in such an amazing and professional family business.
After completing my degree in Economics, I found myself working at ANZ Bank for 14 years in numerous roles, including being a Relationship Manager for small to medium businesses and working as a Senior Product Manager, developing, and managing business transaction accounts. It was exciting, but it was banking.
In 2011, I joined Don Smallgoods (a division of George Weston Foods) as a Business Analyst, quickly progressing as a Trade Activation Manager and then onto Key Account/National Account Management.
Staying in the perishables category, I worked for Barossa Fine Foods, then moved to Danone. During this time, I gained experience working with all major accounts including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Costco and Export
In 2019 I had the opportunity to turn my passion for lollies into my day job! I joined Funtastic to head up the confectionery business, working with iconic brands like Beacon and Xtreme across all customer accounts.
I was fortunate enough to continue working with these brands when I moved to Universal Candy in 2021. Through my experience across various categories of FMCG (in both large corporates and family businesses) I have developed a passion for delivering high levels of customer service coupled with a strong creative approach that I can leverage to help develop ideas for brands like Xtreme and Beacon.
I am so proud to be part of the Universal Candy team. With our unrivalled portfolio of novelty candy brands and growth mindset, I know there is more success in the road ahead.
After a few years working with some of Australia’s largest multinational grocery companies, I joined Dinnie Rundle in 1986, an importer and distributor of confectionery and snack foods to the impulse and grocery channels.
Along with several other confectionery distributors around the country, Dinnie Rundle was acquired to form a national distribution company: Network Foods.
In 1989, I relocated from Perth to Melbourne to take up the role of State Manager for Victoria. I held various senior national positions at Network Foods, including Executive Director.
I moved to Stuart Alexander in 2000, eventually becoming Head of Sales and Business Development for Australia and New Zealand.
In 2005 I started Stuart Clark Consulting working with several food and confectionery companies, including Stuart Alexander and Candy Brokers (the latter was later acquired by Universal Candy).
I joined Park Avenue Foods in 2009 as Brand and Business Manager, developing, selling, and marketing licensed confectionery and biscuits in Australia and internationally.
Looking for a new opportunity saw me join Universal Candy in mid-2020 where with the full support of the business we set about establishing a licensed division.
When asked by friends what I do – my family says I put smiles on the faces of Australian kids. I am grateful to work in this fun and ever evolving confectionery industry.
My career as a dedicated retail professional started with the Coles Myer group in 1982, initially in store management then in state management roles with Coles, Kmart and Myer across Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. After seven years on the road, I returned to Melbourne in a National Merchandise role.
Then I decided it was time to look at the other side of the desk, and market FMCG back into retail.
My first role was building the JNH Confectionery business (later to become known as Funtastic), a role that included developing kids homewares, kids furniture and electrical goods.
However, my passion for food and confectionery saw me return to core FMCG when I moved to head up Ontrack International — a leading Food for Gifts & Confectionery company.
Today, after merging a few international chocolate brands such as Anthon Berg across to Universal, I am focused on developing and growing the new Gourmet Division for the company.
I’m totally excited about what that will look like with the driving force of the Universal Candy team beside me.