When people outside the industry ask what I do I say…

My answer has changed over the years. In my younger days, I’d say that I sell toilets and poo pipe – direct and to the point! In more recent years I explain that I sell a toilet that washes you with water, so you don’t have to use paper. It’s called the Geberit AquaClean Shower Toilet, and yes, it’s as brilliant as it sounds.

If I was in charge of this industry I would…

Talk more openly about water saving and push for proper support including government grants to help people modernise outdated bathrooms and reduce water wastage. The technology exists, but we need to make it more accessible.

What I love most about my job is…

The people – it really is that simple. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the most passionate, dedicated and fun individuals at Geberit. That shared energy and pride is what’s made this journey so enjoyable. I will miss them greatly.

The thing people might not know about me is…

I was born exactly a year (to the hour) after my older sister. She has never let me forget how I always gatecrash her birthday. 

The work story I always tell to make people laugh is

Early in my career (some 40 years ago), I worked in the technical department for a large bathroom manufacturer. One day, I joined a service engineer on a call-out to a woman who said her shower wasn’t working properly as she couldn’t get her hair wet. When we arrived, we discovered that her husband had installed a bidet mixer on the wall instead of a shower. She had to reach up to turn it on but strangely she didn’t seem to mind! 

The industry person I most admire is…

I’ve spent most of my 44-year career working for two giants in the UK and European bathroom industries. I spent 18 years at Armitage Shanks and the last 25 years at Geberit. At both companies I have been extremely lucky to work with some passionate and inspirational leaders that have taught me a lot.

I wish this industry would talk less about…

Price. It’s all too easy to focus on cost and forget the value behind great products. 

My biggest professional inspiration is…

My dad. He was a builder and always has the best advice and is a great inspiration to me. He will tell me if I’m getting too big for my boots. 

My proudest professional achievement is…

It is hard to pick just one, so I’ll give you two. The first was the integration of Sanitec in 2016 bringing Twyford and Geberit together into one powerful UK business that I was asked to lead. The second was leading the business through the pandemic in 2020. It was a hugely challenging time for everyone but, as a business, we made sure all employees were taken care of and we came out stronger than ever.

If I could go back to the day I started in this industry, I would tell myself…

Be proud of what you do. For too long I thought other industries sounded more exciting. But the truth is, there’s nothing sexier than selling toilets and pipework, especially when you know how much impact great products can have.

In ten years’ time I will be…

Living in my new house I am about to start building when I retire from Geberit at the end of September. (I think I’m safe with a 10-year completion target).

I dance in my kitchen to…

I’d love to say something cool and on trend here, but I was brought massively down to earth when asking my wife this question over dinner. As we have a two-year-old grandson, I can often be seen dancing around the kitchen with him to Horsey, Horsey (by various).  And yes, sometimes with a wooden spoon between my legs for added flair…

Mark Larden retires after 25 years at Geberit at the end of September.