COMMENT A lightbulb moment Editor, Fiona Garcia: fgarcia@datateam.co.uk


“There is a real energy around the lighting industry at the moment and some great


innovation”


This issue we take a more in-depth look into the lighting & electrical industry. Given the nature of the products and the need to be mindful of their disposal, there is a lot of legislation and regulation to wade through, which I expect can be a minefield for some producers and retailers. Equally, the industry is full of change and new ideas, which meant some of the products and technologies being showcased at Lux Live went over my head a little (no pun intended). After sitting through a seminar on colour metrics and rendering of light sources, I realised I was out of my comfort zone in terms of technical understanding but it was still fascinating. Something that I really took away from the show was that there


is a real energy (and another one) around the lighting industry at the moment and some great innovation.


It is an exciting time to be part of that sector it seems and I was blown away by the possibilities presented by things like Lifi (read more on page 18). Now, I’m not exactly what one would call an early adopter and will often wait and see how other people get on with new technology before jumping on the bandwagon, but I went away from the show buzzing about what such exciting technology could mean for our homes, as well as the enormous potential in commercial and retail settings. I was ready to start swapping the bulbs in our house for Lifi-enabled ones, although my husband was not so keen and put a stop to that. It’s fantastic to come across ideas that are so groundbreaking. I was also really encouraged by news of a record spend on R&D in this country last year. Which leads me neatly on to my usual reminder about the DIY Week Awards. If you’ve got a game-changing product, then for goodness sake don’t keep it quiet – get it in front of our judging panel and put yourself in the running for an award!


PEOPLE NEWS B&M recruits new chairman Sir Terry Leahy


B&M has recruited a new chairman to succeed Sir Terry Leahy as the discount retailer posted an “excellent” first-half performance with strong growth in revenues, EBITDA and pre-tax profits. The company has appointed Peter Bamford as a non-executive director of one of the company’s subsidiaries from January 1, then as non-executive chairman with effect from March 1, 2018. Mr Bamford is chairman of listed fashion retailer SuperGroup and deputy chairman and senior


Geoff gets growing his ‘tache again for charity


Wyevale Nurseries trading foreman Geoff Godsall is growing a moustache this month in aid of a hospice in Hereford.


Mr Godsall, who has worked at Wyevale Nurseries for 30 years, will be growing a moustache for the second year running to fundraise for St Michael’s Hospice.


He said: “I chose to support St


Michael’s Hospice again this year as it’s such a vital local charity. It


4 DIY WEEK 24 NOVEMBER 2017


offers a fantastic service to the community during particularly hard times. Both the hospice and Macmillan Nurses have helped my friends and family in the past. I just had to show my support again this year for such a worthy cause. “I will be growing my moustache during November and I will be able to shave it off on December 1. Last year I managed to raise £260 for the hospice so I am hoping to match that figure this year.”


Geoff Godsall will be growing a ‘tache for charity


St Michael’s Hospice in


Bartestree looks after people age of 18 and above with progressive life- limiting illnesses at various stages of their journey. It also provides care and support for patients’ families, friends and carers.


independent director of Spire Healthcare Group. He has worked with Six Degrees Holdings, Vodafone Group, WH Smith, Tesco and Kingfisher. Sir Terry Leahy will retire from the


board on March 1 after five years in the role.


“I’m looking forward to taking on the chairmanship role at B&M, working alongside the strong board and executive team and continuing with the growth strategy which has delivered significant shareholder value since IPO,” said Mr Bamford.


Helen MacDonald appointed HTA council representative for Scotland


The Horticultural Trades Association has announced that Helen MacDonald of Merryhatton Garden Centre in East Lothian, near Edinburgh, has been appointed to the role of HTA Council Representative for Scotland. Helen replaces Simon Fraser who stepped down at the last meeting following his appointment to the Board. Helen’s interest in plants began at an early age helping in her parent’s nursery, which led her to study horticulture at university. Helen comments: “I regard myself


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© 2015 Datateam Business Media Ltd. DIY Week incorporates Decor Retailing, DIY Retail Leaders, DIY Superstore, Do-It-Yourself Retailing, Domestic Electrical Appliances, Excellence In Garden Retailing, Excellence In Woodcare Retailing, Excellence In Timber Retailing, Excellence In Tile Retailing, Garden Retail Leaders, Garden Retailing, Hardware Merchandiser, Hardware Trade Journal, Homecentre, Home Storage Retailing, The Ironmonger, Ironmongery & Hardware, Lighting, Martineau & Smith’s Monthly Circular, Mercantile Guardian, Superstore Management, Tools Retailing, and Wholesale Leaders. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without prior written permission from the publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published in DIY Week. However, Datateam Business Media Ltd will not be liable for any inaccuracies. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publishers. DIY Week is registered at Stationers’ Hall. ISSN 0954-8823. DIY Week is printed on environmentally friendly paper; both text paper and cover stock are elementary chlorine free and sourced from paper suppliers with a well planned environmental policy. This issue of DIY Week includes some editorial photographs provided and paid for by suppliers. Printed by Buxton Press.


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as exceptionally fortunate, I can’t think of many other industries where people are so friendly and – like me – seem to gain so much job satisfaction”.


Habitat announces new head of product design as creative director exits


Polly Dickens is set to retire from her current position as Creative Director of the interiors brand Habitat at the end of January 2018.


Dickens will be succeeded by


Habitat’s current Senior Design Manager, Kate Butler, who will take on the role of Head of Product Design, overseeing product development of the Habitat Design Studio and its seasonal collections. Butler has been with the Habitat


L-R: Polly Dickens and Kate Butler


brand since 2013 as part of its in-house design studio, before that working for both Anthropologie and The Conran Shop.


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