INDUSTRY UPDATE Leon Rowland,
Commercial Relationships Manager, BiKBBI
Caesarstone UK welcomes NEW Managing Director, Edward Smith
C
aesarstone, the global leader in engineered surfaces, is delighted to welcome its NEW Managing Director for Caesarstone UK and ROI, Edward Smith.
Smith steps into the role having worked for nearly 30 years at Jewson, Saint-Gobain – one of the largest British building distribution companies, with over 550 outlets nationwide. At Jewson, Smith was the Programme Director, leading the creation and implementation of the company’s long term strategic plan. Simultaneously, he was the MD of George Boyd, a national ironmongery, security and fire door safety business with 14 stores and a distribution centre.
BiKBBI – Collaboration allows us to achieve more than we are capable of alone
H
enry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is
success”.
And whilst this quote is without doubt relevant for every business and industry in the world, it is a perfect description of the journey that BiKBBI has been on over its almost 18-year history, as well as very eloquently setting out our stall for the future.
Our role has always been to be the conduit between the installation community and the rest of the KBB sector, working with all stakeholders to identify both challenges and opportunities, and to seek solutions by way of partnerships, sponsorships and even friendships. It’s fair to say that the role the institute plays in the industry grows with each year, as we fulfil our purpose of driving positive change within the KBB sector. Our industry is facing some tough challenges, and it feels like we are starting to recognise that only through collaboration can we deliver effective solutions. After almost two decades of banging on doors and shouting from the rooftops, 2023 has most definitely been a turning point in our plight to engage as many businesses and brands as possible in order to create meaningful collaboration. We have seen an increase in brands seeking us out, offering support, and we have been delighted to welcome onboard a number of new corporate sponsors this year including Triton, CT1, Lakes, MHK Group and even ebay!
And whilst we still have a long way to go in terms of our coverage of the whole industry, this change in behaviour has led us to change our thinking in terms of what we bring to the party. One key area of development for us is maximising the potential of our relationships – both existing and future – and for the first time we have a full-time member of our team dedicated to this role. Leon Rowland joined us in October and brings a wealth of relationship management experience following his career in the insurance and hospitality sectors. His role will be pivotal in fostering and strengthening BiKBBI’s stakeholder relationships to ensure we are maximising opportunities for our great sector! If you are interested in working with BiKBBI, you can email
leon.rowland@
bikbbi.org.uk.
Damian Walters – CEO, BiKBBI 50 BKU NOVEMBER 2023
Smith has made significant contributions across his various leadership roles and brings with him an excellent reputation for strong relationship building and fostering high team performance. In his new role, he will continue to develop and drive Caesarstone’s strategic vision forward. Managing Director of Caesarstone UK and ROI, Edward Smith comments: “I’m thrilled to be part of such a respected innovative global brand. I’ve enjoyed watching Caesarstone’s extraordinary growth since it launched in the UK in 2017 and look forward to continuing to invest in and develop the business across the UK and ROI. I’m also excited to continue building our relationship with our Irish partners following the launch of our new distribution centre and showroom in Dublin earlier this year. It was a key step in Caesarstone’s expansion to solidify our presence in this important market.”
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