A pillar of the promotional products market in the United Kingdom is ready for the next chapter of his life.

David Long announced that he is retiring as CEO of Sourcing City, an ASI partner and England-based trade service organization that provides a suite of solutions to the U.K.’s promotional products market. Long founded Sourcing City 22 years ago – part of a 38-year-long career in the branded merchandise arena.

Ella and David Long, Sourcing City

“I move on very proud of Sourcing City and our associated brands and services, which have innovated across the industry since their inception,” Long said. “Over the years, we have invested in new concepts to provide services of true value to distributors and suppliers alike – and this will carry on into the future.”

Sourcing City didn’t have to look far for a new CEO. Ella Long, David’s wife, longtime Sourcing City executive, and herself a well-known and respected leader in the British promotional products industry, is taking over the chief executive position.

David Long emphasized that Sourcing City will remain in the capable hands of the current team, with Ella at the helm. There are no plans to sell the business.

“The company is to continue exactly as it is with one change – Ella will today step up from operations director to formally become CEO, a role that she has been fulfilling for some time now,” David said.

“Over past years, I have got more involved in supporting my local community, and now approaching my 69th birthday, I wish to do other things and give more time to giving back.” David Long, Sourcing City

David Long noted that, while he is stepping back from the front lines, he’s not disappearing from Sourcing City altogether. He will remain a major shareholder and act in an advisory capacity as chairman.

As head of Sourcing City, David Long played a lead role in spearheading the U.K.’s largest promo trade show, Merchandise World. He also produced in-depth annual reports on the state of the promo industry in the U.K. – not to mention establishing and advancing Sourcing City’s flagship sourcing platform that helps distributors procure products from quality suppliers.

Furthermore, Long/Sourcing City played a foundational role in establishing PromoAlliance, an expanded collaborative effort with U.S.-based ASI and Germany-headquartered PSI that provides promotional products companies an array of benefits to better understand international markets and serve intercontinental clients.

“Over past years, I have got more involved in supporting my local community, and now approaching my 69th birthday, I wish to do other things and give more time to giving back,” David Long said. “The time now feels right to take a step back. A business cannot be built without great relationships, and I am so grateful to all those that have let us support their businesses.”