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

I usually start with ‘I’m basically a kitchen matchmaker’ – which definitely gets their attention. Then I explain that I founded The Used Kitchen Company, an online marketplace where people can buy and sell used and ex-display kitchens. Most people are surprised  that there’s such a strong market for second-hand kitchens, but once I explain the environmental and financial benefits, they’re genuinely interested and often wish they’d known about it sooner.

If I was in charge of this industry…

I would build on the excellent training initiatives that already exist and make them even more accessible to young people. Kitchens aren’t just about the latest trends; they require real skills in design, craftsmanship and customer service, and while some companies are doing brilliant work in this area, it’s vital for us all to invest in the next generation to keep the industry moving forward.

What I love most about my job is…

Is that it never feels like work. Every day brings something different – from helping a family get more from their renovation budget to rescuing a stunning ex-display kitchen from ending up in landfill. I love seeing the real-life impact of what we do: not just the financial benefit for our customers, but the environmental difference we make by keeping kitchens in use. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that behind every sale or listing, there’s a story, a household transformed, and a little bit more waste prevented.

The thing people might not know about me is...

In an earlier life, I worked for an A-List celebrity, managing his schedule and daily life while juggling the occasional chaos with fans, media, and… one very famous lady who would later become his wife. It was fast-paced, unpredictable, and often a masterclass in problem-solving, an experience that has held me in good standing when running The Used Kitchen Company.

The work story I always tell to make people laugh is…

Often, my job feels more unpaid counsellor than a kitchen specialist. People call to buy or sell their kitchens, and before we know it, we’ve heard about their relationship breakdowns, family dramas, and life crises. My favourite being the lady who finished telling me about her divorce, house move, and career change, then asked if I did life coaching as well as kitchens because I ‘really understood her situation’.

The industry person I most admire is…

There are a number of people who come to mind, but I think the real shout-out needs to go to all kitchen fitters who turn designs and plans into reality. Their skill, precision, and problem-solving are what make a kitchen work, and it’s the dedication and expertise of these professionals that bring a kitchen to life.

I wish this industry would talk less about…

how hard it is to be sustainable in our industry, and more about the simple, practical solutions that already exist. There are plenty of ways to be environmentally responsible – we just need to actually implement them instead of making excuses.

My biggest professional inspiration…

Comes from the Robin Hood element of our work, taking perfectly good kitchens that would otherwise go to waste and making them accessible to budget-conscious buyers. There’s immense satisfaction in knowing we’ve helped someone save thousands of pounds whilst simultaneously preventing excellent materials from going to landfill. Each kitchen we rescue represents levelling the playing field, ensuring people can achieve their dream kitchen without breaking the bank.

My proudest professional achievement is…

Proving the sceptics wrong. When I launched The Used Kitchen Company in 2005, the concept was questioned by many who doubted that people would ever buy or sell pre-owned kitchens. Yet today, after facilitating the resale of thousands of kitchens and earning a respected place within the KBB industry, I feel a deep sense of pride in proving the value of an idea that was once dismissed as impossible into a thriving business.

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

To trust my instincts, have confidence in my decisions, and not be swayed by what others think. Launching something new is always uncertain, but fully committing to your ideas makes navigating the challenges far more manageable.

In ten years’ time I would like to think…

In ten years’ time, I’ll hopefully be on a sunkissed beach surrounded by family and friends, looking back and thinking, ‘You know what? we actually made a difference, saving the world one kitchen at a time.’ Not a bad legacy for a business that started on eBay, selling household goods.

I dance in my kitchen to…

Our kids usually control the playlist, but if I get the chance, I’d choose ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen, because it never fails to make me smile. My children find my kitchen performances absolutely mortifying, which naturally makes me do it even more.