The kbbreview Podcast

It’s the next special bonus episode of our Rising Star series, in association with our very good friends at Blum . Host George Dean meets Mariam Susan Joseph, a former architect who has risen rapidly through the ranks at Simply Bathrooms, earning two promotions in just her first year. Mariam shares how her architectural training, attention to detail and hunger to learn helped her transition into b...

We all want more sales – but in the world of independent KBB retailing, is “sales” still a dirty word? In this episode, Andy Davies asks whether retailers are too quick to badge themselves as designers rather than salespeople, and whether that mindset is helping or hindering business performance. Design may be the most creative and rewarding part of the job, but does it sometimes get in the way of...

In this special bonus episode of The kbbreview Podcast , host Matt Baker goes behind the scenes of  judging for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 , with an exclusive look at what really goes on in the business categories. Sponsored by our awards Podcast Partner 2026 Sonas Bathrooms , this episode is part of our run-up to the awards ceremony on Monday, March 2 at the Hilton Birming...

Season 17 of The kbbreview Podcast continues with a big question and an even bigger hypothetical. Host Andy Davies is joined by the retailer Fantastic Four for their first episode of 2026 - Trevor Scott from RFK, Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington and Justine Bullock from The Tap End They're diving straight into the fundamentals most small business owne...

Rising Star Spotlight: Amy Hartland It's the next special bonus episode of our Rising Star series of episodes in association with Blum . Host George Dean meets Amy Hartland , showroom manager at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors Amy’s unplanned route into the KBB industry led to a key leadership role, where she now oversees sales, marketing, admin and project coordination. We discuss her role in im...

What happens when a mass-market retail heavyweight takes the reins of one of the UK’s most premium bathroom brands? In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast , host Andy Davies sits down with Dean Weston , the new Managing Director of CP Hart , to talk leadership, luxury and life at the top end of the market. With a CV spanning Magnet, MFI, Habitat, Bathstore and more, Weston knows retail inside ou...

We’re kicking off 2026 - and our first episode of the year - with a heavyweight interview and a true industry icon. We're beginning the new season by going deep with Pat Riley , founder of Bathroom Brands . Home to names including Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Showerwall , Bathroom Brands has been through a bit of a self-confessed rough patch and, after stepping back from the business in 202...

The moment has arrived... The full shortlist for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 is revealed exclusively on The kbbreview Podcast — the very first place to discover whether you’re a finalist in the most prestigious awards in independent kitchen and bathroom retail. Every designer, retailer, showroom, installer, rising star and unsung hero named in this episode is now in contention fo...

This is the last of our very special Insights 2026 series of daily episodes where we talk to leaders at some of the biggest brands in the kitchen and bathroom industry. We're getting their candid evaluations and conclusions for business in 2025 and seeing what their thoughts, predictions and plans are for 2026 - a proper snapshot of where the sector is as we head into a new year. And we're finishi...

Host Andy Davies continues the daily Insight 2026 series of deep-dives with leaders from some of the biggest brands in the UK kitchen and bathroom market uncovering their honest assessments of 2025 and their expectations, predictions and plans for the year ahead. In this episode, Wes McKenna, group sales and marketing director at Uform , joins the conversation. After a challenging and unpredictabl...

In this episode, host Andy Davies explores the big design shifts of 2025 and the emerging trends for 2026 with Aimee Fletcher, product and development manager at Egger UK . From textures to tones to the tactile details influencing future furniture design, Aimee lifts the lid on how Egger helps steer the industry’s creative direction and what retailers and designers should be ready for next year. F...

Host Andrew Davies sits down with Danny Lay from Caple for an in-depth discussion on 2025 and what’s ahead in 2026, focusing on appliances, distribution, and the trends shaping the kitchen sector. With decades of experience at the forefront of both industries, Danny shares invaluable insights and practical perspectives that every business can learn from. Learn more about Caple at caple.co.uk Hoste...

In this double-header episode of our continuing Insight 2026 series, host Andrew Davies chats with MD Steve Breen and marketing director Ruth Davies from VitrA , for a frank look at 2025 and the company’s ambitious plans for 2026. From market realities to big-picture strategy, this candid conversation offers a unique snapshot of a leading global brand in the UK kitchen and bathroom sector - with a...

Host Andrew Davies sits down with Simeon Gabriel, UK managing director of Hettich , for a sharp look at how 2025 has played out and what the industry should prepare for in 2026. With Hettich’s worldwide perspective - and Simeon’s knack for cutting through the noise - this episode delivers practical, thought-provoking takeaways for businesses of every size. A clear, top-level view of where the sect...

In this first episode of our special of Insights 2026 series of episodes, Andy Davies sits down with industry leaders for their frank take on their evaluation of 2025 and what’s on the horizon for 2026. We start with Dave Hance from Bathroom Brands . After a turbulent year, he and co-founder Pat Riley are back at the helm, injecting fresh energy into one of the UK’s most influential bathroom suppl...

It’s the final full episode of 2025 and host Andy Davies is joined by our resident retailers Trevor Scott from RFK, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens to unpack last week's budget, ask whether 2025 was really as bad as it felt, and look ahead to what 2026 might have in store. There might also be a cheeky Christmas quiz at the end... But fear not, kbb...

]Meet Rising Star Max Hitchcox of Point 5 Kitchens in London. In this latest instalment of our special Rising Star mini-series, George Dean introduces you to another young name set to shape the future of the KBB industry. This week’s guest is Max Hitchcox , the articulate designer helping drive the growth of Point 5 Kitchens - the retailer many of you may remember from our “Adopted Retailer” journ...

In this special awards edition of The kbbreview Podcast, host Matt Baker kicks off the countdown to the 2026 kbbreview Retail & Design Awards. Entries have officially closed and judging is under way, with the all-important finalists reveal coming right here on the podcast before Christmas. Before that, we’re shining a spotlight on our 2026 Awards Podcast Partner Sonas Bathrooms . Matt sits dow...

Meet Rising Star finalist Holly Magee — the creative newcomer shaking things up at Elysee Kitchens and Interiors in Ascot. In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast , host George Dean continues our special mini-series celebrating the bright young talents shortlisted for the Rising Star category in the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026 . Holly may have only been with Elysee for a year, but s...

This week on The kbbreview Podcast , host Andy Davies is back (slightly croaky but fighting on!) alongside our full expert panel — Trevor Scott from RFK, Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens, Justine Bullock from The Tap End and Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington — for a brilliantly lively and brutally honest discussion. We’re diving into one of the industry’s biggest headaches: what really...

This week on The kbbreview Podcast , we’re rolling out the red carpet and tearing open the gold envelopes because it’s all about awards . Host Andy Davies is joined by his all-star panel of retailers - Trevor Scott from RFK in Rugby, Justine Bullock from The Tap End near Cardiff, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes And...

What makes a bathroom brand truly stand out? Andy Davies talks to Jorge Hernandez , Head of Design at Bathroom Brands, about how the power of differentiating by design drives the look and feel of Crosswater , Burlington , Britton , Clearwater , and the recently added Showerwall . They explore why great design at every price point isn’t just about style, it’s about helping retailers stand apart too...

Pack your wheelie case and dig out that itinerary — this week on The kbbreview Podcast , host Andy Davies is joined by regulars Trevor Scott from RFK, Justine Bullock from The Tap End near Cardiff, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington in Macclesfield and Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens in Milton Keynes to talk all things supplier trips . Are these factory visits and overseas events reall...

Welcome back to The kbbreview Podcast ! Host Andy Davies is joined as always by Trevor, Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Justine Bullock and they're digging into one of the most frustrating challenges facing independent KBB retailers right now - getting customers to actually commit . You’ve done the design work, nailed the presentation, and picked out the perfect products — but when...

What happens when a key supplier suddenly can't supply? Whether that's administration, serious supply chain issues, discontinuation of ranges or just human error it's a serious headache for the retailer. In this week’s episode of The kbbreview Podcast, Andy Davies is joined by Trevor Scott, Justine Bullock, Nick Warrington and Liz Pantling-Jones to explore what to do when the unthinkable happens -...