Frontline Bathrooms and Smiths Briten have strengthened their leadership team with the appointment of Hayley Simmons as senior marketing consultant – a move designed to accelerate the businesses’ brand and marketing strategies in line with ambitious growth targets over the next three to five years.

Simmons brings more than 15 years’ experience in the KBB and home improvement sector, with a proven track record of uniting brand, marketing, product and commercial disciplines into results-driven strategies. As founder of KBB Marketing, she has worked extensively with national and independent retailers, distributors and manufacturers, supporting them with brand positioning, campaign delivery and product development aligned to wider commercial objectives.

In her new part-time role with Frontline and Smiths Briten, Simmons will first review the businesses’ current marketing activity before developing a long-term framework to underpin sustained growth. This will include strengthening brand identity and messaging, and ensuring marketing activity is fully integrated with product development and commercial decision-making.

Commenting on the appointment, Darren Allison, managing director of Frontline Bathrooms and Smiths Briten, said: “Hayley’s arrival marks an important step in our growth journey. Her breadth of experience and proven ability to connect brand strategy with commercial and product insight will give us the tools we need to not only grow, but to do so in a way that is meaningful and sustainable. This is about building solid foundations that allow us to expand our reach, strengthen our relationships with retailers and merchants, and ultimately deliver more for our customers.”

Simmons adds: “What drew me to working with Frontline and Smiths Briten is the scale of their ambition and the opportunity to make a real impact by bringing together all the elements that drive growth. Marketing cannot sit in isolation; it has to work hand in hand with brand, product and commercial planning. I’m excited to be working with the teams to create a strategy that not only supports the businesses today, but also positions them strongly for the years ahead.”

Frontline Bathrooms, based in Featherstone, and Smiths Briten, based in Bolton, continue to invest in operations, logistics and customer service as they set the foundations for long-term expansion. The appointment of Hayley Simmons is the latest step in ensuring the brands are equipped with the expertise and structure needed to deliver on those ambitions.

Specialist KBB recruitment agency, Simon Acres Group Limited has promoted Sam Radford to head of recruitment, Lewis Morrish to national account manager – merchants, and welcomed Vikash Patel to the Oval Deene Recruitment team as a recruitment consultant.

Sam Radford is a recruiter with 23 years of experience in HGV, logistics, and permanent placements. She prides herself on her people-focused approach to supporting both clients and candidates.

Lewis Morrish has over 10 years of experience working within the KBB and merchant industries and has been a member of the Simon Acres Group for over 4 years. Morrish will drive recruitment solutions for merchant clients, grow a team, and continue to strengthen long-term partnerships across the sector.

Vikash Patel brings over five years of experience in driver recruitment and customer service. Based at the Oval Deene Recruitment office in Tunbridge Wells, Patel will support candidates in securing their ideal roles, while ensuring clients have access to the very best talent solutions.

Simon Acres, managing director, Simon Acres Group, comments: “Radford embodies the values we stand for, always going the extra mile for clients and candidates. Morrish’s industry knowledge, flair for building long-term partnerships and commitment to delivering real value to our clients make him an outstanding fit as national account manager – merchants.”

Gemma Creasey, director – Oval Deene Recruitment and commercial director – Simon Acres Group, adds: “Patel has a proven ability to balance candidate aspirations with client requirements, making him a valuable partner in achieving successful placements.”

For further information on Simon Acres Group, please call the team on 0203 701 6660, email info@simonacres.co.uk or visit: www.simonacres.co.uk.

Contributed by Kate Smith for Bathroom Review

“The industry is a lot trickier,” according to new research from bathroom manufacturer Nuielux. The company asked professional bathroom installers for their views on the current market and has shared five expert perspectives on how the sector is shifting.

A key takeaway is that while technology is driving transformation, traditional trade skills remain fundamental. Experts stressed that, although the bathroom market is now fashion-led, plumbing and electrical expertise remain essential.

Installers told Nuielux that the pace of technological innovation and fast-changing trends make upskilling more important than ever. From manufacturers and showroom managers to gas engineers and plumbers, respondents agreed the industry is undergoing significant change.

Among the drivers identified were advances in technology, the influence of design trends, and widening gaps between premium and entry-level products. Together, these insights underline how the focus on both style and innovation is reshaping the skills required of today’s bathroom installers.

Five expert opinions about the changing face of bathroom installation:

1. It’s harder than ever to break into the industry

While skills shortages are a well-known issue across the trades, launching a career in plumbing, electrics, or bathroom installation is not getting any easier.

“The industry has got a lot trickier,” said Carl Huckle, a gas engineer and plumber with 20 years in the business. “From when I was growing up and later as an apprentice to my dad, who was also a plumber, there’s a big rift between what I saw him achieve relatively quickly, and what I managed to achieve in the same timeframe. It’s definitely got a lot harder for young people to just come into this industry and make it work.”

As for advice, Carl said, “Start at the bottom and keep working up. If you try to enter in the middle of the market, you’ll find yourself with cash problems, people problems, those kinds of things. You’re better off starting small and keeping yourself working on little jobs to build up money and experience.”

2. Technology is driving transformation and upskilling

One challenge that tradespeople of all ages face is the need to keep up with rapidly evolving technology and the accompanying rules and regulations.

“Technology advancements do make it a little bit harder because you need to follow new rules all the time – read a lot, learn new stuff, and be up to date on what we have now, gas engineer Stanley Wojtowicz said.

“Ten years from now, I have no idea where bathrooms will be, because in four or five years, we’ve already seen so much progress. Every year, everything is so different, so much more advanced. It’s hard to predict, but you have to keep on top of it.”

3. Word of mouth is still king

Despite the wealth of new digital marketing tools and platforms at tradespeople’s fingertips, the old ways really are the best. Social media and online directories simply can’t replace good old-fashioned recommendations.

In fact, Carl said, “I don’t recommend chasing advertisements or anything like that. Build through word-of-mouth – that’s what gets you more customers. I’m 20 years in, and I don’t advertise at all anymore.”

4. Bathroom experts still guide customer decisions

Social media sites offer homeowners a wealth of inspirational pictures. However, experts report that customers continue to seek their advice on what they can achieve and which products they need.

Suzie English, bathroom manufacturing agent and showroom manager, said: “Despite social media, it’s not very often that you get customers come into the showroom and say, ‘I know exactly what I want’. The majority don’t have a clue – whether it’s kitchens or bathrooms – it’s not something that the average person does every day, so you have to guide them. That’s why I offer a one-to-one service to find out what they actually want.”

5. Installing is tough but rewarding work

There’s a common misconception that tradespeople have it easy – being self-employed, they decide when they work, what they charge, and what jobs they take. However, the reality is more complex, and building strong relationships with colleagues is even more valuable when you run your own business.

“I’m hoping to retire in the next five years”, Carl said. I don’t want to be doing this forever; it swallows a lot of time, especially when you’re self-employed and you work for yourself.

“It’s not what people think; it takes a lot of dedication to make good money at this game. The only reason I’ll be able to step away is the relationship I’ve built with my business partner. He’s ten years younger than me. He was my apprentice and we’ve worked together over a decade now, and we just keep growing and growing and growing.”