SPONSORED BY
INDUSTRY NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR INDUSTRY NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
June 5th 2026, sees the return of the BKU Awards. One of the most prestigious awards is the Industry Newcomer of the Year Award, sponsored by Cyncly. Let’s meet our eight finalists!
I Amy Ollett
Ripples Norwich (Nollo Bathroom Design)
currently work as a Kitchen Designer, a role I have held for just under two years. My responsibilities cover the full end-to-end client journey, from initial consultation and concept development through to final specification and order, ensuring each project delivers a strong balance of design quality, functionality, and commercial performance. I entered the kitchen industry just over a year prior to taking on my current role, while also undertaking freelance architectural work. During this time, I met my current director, James, on a project where he was responsible for the kitchen design. Through this collaboration, I was exposed to a high-end, design-led approach, which aligned closely with both my background and ambition. When he launched a new showroom in Islington, I was invited to join and help lead it from the opening. Despite being early in my career, I was trusted with this responsibility due to my design capability, attention to detail, and client-focused approach. Since then, I have delivered consistent commercial performance, achieving approximately £1 million in kitchen sales annually. A key focus has been developing strong relationships with interior designers, architects, and contractors, resulting in repeat business, long-term partnerships, and a consistent flow of referrals and client testimonials.
I
Brendon Watson Kutchenhaus Islington
I take a proactive approach to innovation within my role. I use AI to enhance render outputs and create more realistic, true-to-life visualisations, improving client understanding and engagement and supporting more confident decision-making. I see its role as evolutionary within the industry, enhancing efficiency and presentation rather than replacing core design thinking. I also actively adopt new technologies that improve accuracy and client experience. I use LiDAR scanning tools such as Polycam to deliver highly accurate site surveys, enabling more precise design development and more informed client discussions. In addition, I am exploring 3D virtual reality as a way of creating immersive design experiences that allow clients to fully engage with their space prior to commitment.
Overall, I have demonstrated rapid progression within the kitchen industry, combining strong commercial performance, trusted client relationships, and early adoption of emerging technology to enhance both design delivery and customer experience. I remain focused on continuing this trajectory within the premium kitchen sector.
14 BKU MAY 2026
am a designer at Ripples Bathrooms in Norwich, Norfolk, where I joined in July 2025 as Lead Designer. My role centres on creating and delivering bespoke bathroom spaces that reflect each client’s individual story, translating their lifestyle and personality into a refined, high-end design.
My creative career has been anything but linear. I have explored a range of disciplines over the years, each contributing to a broader design perspective and a deeper understanding of visual storytelling. Following the COVID pandemic, my focus naturally evolved towards interior design, where I found a strong alignment between creativity, functionality, and personal expression. This transition ultimately led me to my current position, where I bring together my diverse experience to craft thoughtful, tailored environments.
As a designer, I see my relationship with AI as an important reminder that it is a tool - valuable in helping to navigate, articulate, and present ideas, but it does not replace the human connection at the heart of good design. The relationships I build with clients, and the authenticity within those collaborations, remain fundamental and set my work apart. That said, AI plays a meaningful role in helping to translate and visualise my ideas. In particular, the use of virtual worlds has already enabled the development and presentation of some truly exciting projects.
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