The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) has created a new advisory board, which aims to provide strategic advice to independent KBB professionals.
The group will be chaired by Trevor Scott, CEO of RFK Kitchens, and also include Darren Taylor, managing director of Searle & Taylor; Harish Vagadia, director at hep supplies; Julian Stammers, director of J S Designs & Interiors; Kris Tolbod, managing director of Premiere Klasse; and Richard Hibbert, KBSA chair and managing director of KSL.
According to the KBBG, its new advisory board gathered for the first time at last month’s annual members meeting. Their first meeting will reportedly tackle the buying group’s plans for the rest of the year, and begin to shape ideas for 2026 and beyond.
“We are extremely excited and proud to bring together some of the most experienced and forward-thinking individuals in our industry to form the new KBBG Advisory Board,” explained Owain Harrison, managing director of the KBBG.
“Our aim is to ensure that our strategic direction continues to reflect the real-world needs of independent KBB retailers. Their input will be invaluable as we evolve and grow stronger together. With the combined experience and insight of the board, the KBBG is well-positioned to navigate the challenges ahead, seize new opportunities, and continue delivering real value to our growing network of members across the UK.”
Trevor Scott, advisory board chair, added: “I have been a keen advocate of buying groups for our industry for many years and have supported DER KREIS UK from day one. Under Bill Miller’s fine stewardship, I was an enthusiastic member of the group’s previous Advisory Board. It was therefore both an honour and with great pleasure that I was asked and have accepted the role of Chair on the newly formed Advisory Board by new MD Owain Harrison.
“Owain has impressed me considerably with his drive and ambition for the group. He, as do I, clearly recognises the importance of working in partnership with the group’s members to ensure the best possible benefits are derived from the careful selection of supplier and service providing partners.
“The KBBG also understands the importance of its greater role within the KBB community as a sounding board and networking channel via events and webinars. Consulting with the Advisory Board goes a long way to ensuring these all happen and are relevant to issues facing us all – and especially so in the current economic climate.”
At last month’s meeting, KBBG MD Harrison gave his frank overview of the state of the independent kitchen and bathroom market, describing the current situation as “tough but not terminal”.
