THE KBBREVIEW INTERVIEW | Edward Smith
BELOW THE SURFACE
Caesarstone UK is entering a chapter of fresh perspectives thanks to the appointment of a new MD, Edward Smith. He speaks to Rebecca Nottingham about how his vision, leadership, and strategies will not only help grow the brand but also increase its support for independent retailers
ban on engineered stone in Australia and concerns that other countries may follow suit. This is something that Caesarstone has been robust in its defence of [see side bar, page 30] However, according to Edward Smith, the new MD of Caesarstone UK, things are looking positive for the brand here. With
O broad experience, ranging from an
environmental biology degree and a 30-year career in the construction and building supplies sector, which includes experience of running kitchen showrooms at branch level, he brings with him valuable
understanding of cross-
functionality and how the entire product supply chain works.
EDWARD SMITH MY CAREER
Managing director, Caesarstone UK and RoI Sep 2023 – Present
Programme director, Saint-Gobain Jan 2019 – Mar 2023
Managing director, George Boyd UK Jan 2017 – Dec 2022
National business development director, Jewson, and George Boyd Jan 2017 – Dec 2018
28
Business development director, roofing, Jewson Jan 2013 – May 2016
Category manager, roofing, Jewson Jan 2012 – Dec 2012
Area director, Jewson
Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 Q & A
Q: You only became MD of Caesarstone UK in September 2023, how are you settling in? How’s the business faring currently? A: I’ve enjoyed watching Caesarstone’s extraordinary growth since it launched in the UK in 2017 and I’m ready to take it to the next stage. In the UK, there are lots of players in the market now so there’s lots of products for consumers to choose from.
For us, it’s about making sure consumers have
the data in front of them in order to make the right decisions.
Innovation and leading from the front are at the heart of the Caesarstone brand and we have some fantastic new products coming through this year. We’re also investing in staff and
• February 2024
n a global level, the surfaces industry is facing some pretty big issues at the moment, such as the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
