The CEO of Victorian Plumbing, Mark Radcliffe, who founded the online bathroom retailer back in 2000, has announced he will step down from his role next month, with current group managing director Stephnie Judge named as his successor.
Judge joined the company in 2013, eventually being promoted to group managing director in 2020. The company says that her leadership has been instrumental in driving its growth and delivering key initiatives such as its recent warehouse transformation, several major acquisitions and its entry into the homewares market through its relaunch of the MFI brand.
Radcliffe will officially step down on March 31, but will remain on the company’s board as a non-executive founder director, and Judge will succeed him as CEO on April 1.
Philip Bowcock, Victorian Plumbing Group chair, said: “I am delighted that Stephnie has agreed to step up as CEO of Victorian Plumbing. Her diligent approach to the delivery of the Group’s strategic initiatives stands us in very good stead as we look to the next phase of growth.
“I have worked closely with Stephnie since becoming Chair and I share Mark’s confidence in her excellent leadership credentials. I have no doubt that she is the right person to lead Victorian Plumbing through the next chapter and beyond.”
Mark Radcliffe added: “Victorian Plumbing has been on an amazing journey in the 25 years since I founded it and I feel that now is the right time to hand over the reins. Stephnie is the right person to guide Victorian Plumbing through the next phase of growth and take advantage of the significant opportunities that lie ahead.”
Stephnie Judge said: “I am honoured and excited to take over from Mark as CEO of Victorian Plumbing, a company that he started from his parents’ garden shed over two and a half decades ago.
“I am confident that the strategy we have put in place together is the right one, and I look forward to working with the executive leadership team and Mark in his new Founder Director role as we continue to win market share while delivering excellent value and choice for our customers.”
In related news, Victorian Plumbing has also announced its acquisition of Liverpool-based haulage services Sovereign Transport Services and Sovereign Commercials Ltd for £3.4m.