NEWS


AkzoNobel’s 2026 Colours of the Year will get your mojo working


It’s time to dance to the Rhythm of Blues and celebrate AkzoNobel’s Colours of the Year 2026 – an upbeat and versatile colour family that’s calming, connecting and creative. There’s a trio of shades for next year – the light blue Mellow Flow, the dark blue Slow Swing and the vibrant Free Groove – so everyone can find a style that works for them.


Tile Mountain Group acquires former Johnson Tiles


The harmonious collection of signature indigos is just what we need in our homes, according to the results of the company’s extensive annual trend research. “With everything that’s happening in the world, we see that people are reacting in various ways,” explains Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center. “They’re either slowing down and recharging their


Johnson Tiles ceased


Tile Mountain Group has strengthened its presence in Stoke-on-Trent with the acquisition of the 30-acre former Johnsons Tiles site in Tunstall. The site, which includes production facilities, offices, and warehouses, sits directly next to Tile Mountain’s existing 400,000 sq. ft. warehouse complex, serving both Tile Mountain and Bathroom Mountain, providing a significant boost to the company’s capacity and operational footprint.


PEOPLE NEWS Frontline Bathrooms & Smiths Briten appoint Hayley Simmons as senior marketing consultant


Frontline Bathrooms and Smiths Briten have announced the appointment of Hayley Simmons as Senior Marketing Consultant, a move designed to strengthen and accelerate the companies’ marketing and brand strategies in line with


ambitious growth plans over the next three to five years. With more than 15 years’ experience across the KBB and home improvement sector, Hayley has established herself as a leading authority in bringing together brand, marketing, commercial and product disciplines into


Rainy Day Trust appoints new CEO


Industry charity, the Rainy Day Trust has appointed a new CEO, Anna Skeats, after the retirement in the summer of Bryan Clover, who’d held the position for a decade.


Anna joins with over 20 years of leadership experience across the


NHS, public health, corporate, and charity sectors, with a proven track record in strategic leadership and income


6 DIY WEEK SEPTEMBER 2025


a cohesive strategy that drives measurable results. She is the founder of KBB Marketing, where she has worked closely with national and independent retailers, distributors and manufacturers to refine their brand positioning, deliver targeted marketing campaigns and develop product strategies that align with wider commercial objectives. In her new role with Frontline and Smiths Briten (which is part time), Hayley will focus on reviewing the existing marketing approach before developing a long-term framework that ensures both businesses are positioned to achieve sustained growth.


generation. Most recently, as founding CEO of a national charity, Anna grew the organisation from startup to national reach over seven years, developing sustainable funding models and building strong partnerships with major construction and services companies including VINCI, Lendlease, Serco, Maximus, and Lovell, as well as many of the UKs major Housing Associations. Commenting on her appointment Anna said she would describe herself as someone who rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck in and she was thrilled to be joining an industry, and an organisation, that placed people at its heart.


ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment


ROCCIA, one of the UK’s largest independent tile, bathroom, and kitchen showrooms and a multi- award-winning brand, has appointed Andrew Grove as Commercial Manager to lead its expanding commercial division - ROCCIA


Commercial. With 37 years’ experience in the industry, Grove brings extensive expertise and a proven history of delivering major projects across residential, leisure, and multi-purpose developments. His appointment marks an important step in ROCCIA’s strategy to grow its commercial presence and build closer partnerships with developers, contractors, and architects nationwide. The appointment of Andrew Grove reflects ROCCIA’s ambition to strengthen its role in the construction and property development sectors. As Commercial Manager, Grove will lead strategy, tenders, and business development, while fostering new relationships with tiling contractors and ensuring ROCCIA continues to uphold its values of family, inspiration, and excellence across every commission.


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production at the site in 2024 and has been actively clearing the premises since. Tile Mountain Group has purchased the site from Norcros, the owner of Johnson Tiles, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to growth in the Stoke-on-Trent area. Commenting on the acquisition Mo Iqbal, Chairman of Tile Mountain Group, said: “We’re delighted to acquire this iconic site, right next to our Tunstall facilities. This marks a key stage in the expansion of our business in the area, which now includes multiple warehouses and showrooms. Securing the Johnsons site gives us the space and flexibility to grow our retail and distribution operations with confidence over the medium and long term.” This strategic acquisition


strengthens Tile Mountain Group’s presence in the UK tile and bathroom market, providing the space and flexibility to support its expanding network of warehouses and showrooms and to enhance its customer service.


batteries, wanting to feel in tune with others and celebrate kinship. Or they’re choosing to be bold, have fun and feel carefree.” She adds that the three colour palettes will help create living environments that fit everyone’s individual decorative needs. “To reflect these various moods – and because we understand that colour is emotion and therefore


personal – we’ve chosen a family of colours for 2026. They’re centred around three


different rhythms that offer endless scope for changing the pace of your space.”


August GCA BoT figures show ‘wide appeal of the modern garden centre’


August’s Garden Centre Association (GCA) Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures reveal nearly all categories performed well – with bulb sales having a strong start.


Eleven of the 13 categories


recorded by member garden centres were reported as being positive, when compared to 2024, with gifts leading the way at +10.1%.


GCA CEO, Peter Burks, said:


“We’ve a very encouraging set of sales figures for August after a slight lull in the hot summer months. Bulb sales have started very strongly, which has helped to kickstart the autumn gardening season nicely.


“Once again, it’s great to see almost all the categories performing very well, which demonstrates the wide appeal of the modern garden centre offer. Early feedback from September suggests this gardening trend is continuing too. The percentage variance on last year was also very positive at +6.71%.” The GCA represents more than


200 garden centres nationwide. Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.


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