Northern Irish bathroom manufacturer Aqualla has announced the appointment of a new managing director.
Ruth Black has joined the business – which also incorporates the Adamsez brand – and will be taking over the role from next month. Her appointment follows recent news that former Aqualla MD and company founder, Steven Allaway, would be stepping down from his position.
Black’s career experience made her a good fit for the role, as she has over 30 years of experience working in the KBB sector. The company says her experience in merchant-facing roles will give her a strong understanding of how to navigate the challenges faced by individuals at each level of the business, from its stakeholders, all the way to its retailers.
At this time, her focus will be on the strategic development of both the Aqualla and Adamsez brands and is specifically looking to grow the company’s profile amongst independent retailers in the UK.
Black commented: “I am delighted to join Aqualla as managing director. It is a people-focused business that I have known and respected for many years as a customer and one that will be driven forward by the dedication and commitment of the people within it. I look forward to working alongside and supporting this wonderful team, as well as the wider FM Mattsson group, to deliver continued growth.
“I will be shadowing Steven for the next few months and listening carefully. There is a great responsibility to ensure we continue to support our customers, suppliers, and colleagues while we grow the Aqualla and Adamsez brands.”
Fredrik Skarp, Group CEO at FM Mattsson – the parent company of Aqualla and Adamsez – added: “With Ruth, we have found the right skills and mindset to take the Aqualla and Adamsez businesses to the next level as leading bathroom brands in United Kingdom and Ireland, together with all our dedicated team members, customers, and suppliers.”
Last year, Aqualla also announced it had established a dedicated sales team to help drive the brand’s growth in the UK market.