KBSA hits 40 and reports ‘unheard of’ membership growth

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) held its annual AGM conference in celebration of the organisation’s 40th year.

The conference was a chance to network and improve business skills, but also to learn from other members.

The KBSA, during its AGM, reported growth in its membership and finances as said it had added 20 new members in the past three months, which was described by KBSA national chair, Richard Hibbert, as “unheard of ”.

The target for total membership is 150 members and growing membership is important to the KBSA. Hibbert said: “The more decision makers that we have, the stronger an organisation we will become.”

The total income for the KBSA is more than £260,000 and this is up on last year. Hibbert said: “Being strong financially means that we can invest and invest in the future. Whether that is social media, branding, PR and our website to benefit our members – so strong financial growth is key. The focus is our membership growth and to still keep a tight financial control.”

The conference included workshops and seminars for retailers to improve their business skills and an exclusive retailer dinner the night before, which included two presentations from Simon Jones, director at BSH Home Appliances and John Seaman, head of sales at Blanco UK.

The conference included two motivational speeches, the first from designer Wayne Hemingway about founding the fashion brand Red or Dead in the early Eighties with his wife to his current work about socially-conscious designs. The second talk was from former rally driver Penny Mallory, who gave a speech about overcoming obstacles and having the right mind-set for business.

Uwe Hanneck, acting KBSA CEO, said: “We are delighted to report that our focus on bringing on board new members is already delivering results with 20 new members over the past three months.”

“We are on track to achieve our goals to make the association more vibrant and relevant, and confirm our position as the only one to support and represent independent KBB retailers.”

The conference also included the awards evening and the winners were:

Supplier of the Year – Blanco UK

Customer Service – Denmore Kitchens and Bathrooms and Classic Interiors

Young Designer of the Year – Hania Southwell from At Twenty One Interiors

Kitchen Concept of the Year – Lindsay Jamieson from Kitchens International

Bathroom Designer of the Year – Glyn Davis from Denby Kitchen Company

Kitchen Designer of the Year (up to £20k) – Andrew Bell from Mike Hughes Kitchens and Bedrooms

Kitchen Designer of the Year (£20k-£40k) – Diane Berry from Diane Berry Kitchens

Kitchen Designer of the Year (Over £40k) – Niko Rasides from Nicholas Anthony

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