The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) has named David Sanders as its new board chair, following the recent appointment of Luke Wedgbury as its managing director.
The announcement was made to delegates at the second of the KBSA’s three regional events, which it is holding in collaboration with buying group the KBBG.
Sanders is a particularly well-known name in the industry, bringing nearly 35 years of experience to his new role. Starting his career in his family’s kitchen business, he joined fittings company Blum in 1995 and served as the company’s sales and marketing director until 2024, where he still remains as a consultant. He is also a passionate advocate for independent KBB retailers.
“I’m very happy to accept the Board’s invitation to become chair of the KBSA, the independent retailer has always been close to my heart,” Sanders said. “It’s where I started and even during my years with Blum I never lost that connection. I know first-hand what independents bring to our industry and the pressures they face every day.
“With Luke now in place as managing director and a new board structure on the way, this is an important moment for the KBSA. I hope my experience of leadership within the KBB industry will allow me to add real value as chair: supporting Luke and the Board, helping the independent retail sector advance its cause, and encouraging more retailers to grow their businesses through membership of the KBSA.”
New KBSA boss Luke Wedgbury said he was delighted that Sanders was joining the board, adding: “My role as managing director means that I’ll be much more involved in the day-to-day running of the association going forward. The Board will operate in an advisory capacity and this is exactly why David is the perfect man to act as Chair, with his long experience of our industry.”
The KBSA also said that the announcement of Sanders’ appointment is just one part of “an ongoing period of change” for the organisation, teasing: “further details of which will be revealed over the coming weeks”.
In related news, Luke Wedgbury recently spoke exclusively to kbbreview for his first industry interview since up his post as the KBSA’s new managing director, promising major changes for the trade association that would pave the way to it becoming more even more relevant for retailers. You can read the full interview with Wedgbury here, or in this month’s issue of kbbreview Magazine.