Movers & Shakers - KBB and Merchants

Movers Shakers_ VitrA on Campus_ Redefining the Bathroom Industry for Tomorrow

Welcome to a special edition of our podcast, coming to you live from Abingdon & Witney College. In this episode, we sit down with Ruth Davies and Steve Breen from VitrA to explore their ambitious five-week roadshow across the UK. This conversation goes beyond the surface, diving into how VitrA is addressing the industry’s growing skills gap, their innovative approach to supporting independent retailers through the Vitality Partner Program, and what the future of ‘smart’ bathrooms could look like. Join us as our guests share their vision for a more connected, sustainable, and professional future for the bathroom industry.

Movers & Shakers: Stronger Together_ Redefining the Voice of the Bathroom Industry with Daphne Doody-Green

Welcome to a very special edition of Movers & Shakers. Today, we are joined by Daphne Doody-Green, the newly appointed CEO of the Bathroom Association . Daphne brings a powerhouse of experience to the sector, having spent 24 years at the CIPD, where she championed HR leadership, change management, and people management . Now, she is pivoting that expertise toward a new mission: leading the Bathroom Association through a major rebrand and evolving it into a powerful, influential voice for the entire supply chain . In this episode, we discuss her transition into the industry, the importance of collaboration, and why the bathroom is the one room in the house we should never take for granted

Movers Shakers_ The Thomas Crapper Story -Modern Innovation Meets Victorian Heritage by Paul Dwyer

Welcome to a very special edition of Movers & Shakers, recorded at the NEC KBB 2026. Today, we are joined by an industry veteran who has seen it all—from his early days in DIY at age 16 to serving as a Purchasing Director and even founding a successful online retail empire. Our guest is Paul Dwyer, the man currently steering the ship at Thomas Crapper, one of the most iconic and recognizable brands in the bathroom industry. Paul joins us to discuss how he is balancing a 160-year-old heritage with modern innovation, expanding into the North American market, and why he believes doing business the "old-fashioned way" is still the secret to success.

The Apprenticeship Advantage - Tom Pursglove on Closing the Skills Gap and Redefining Success

Welcome to this special episode of Movers & Shakers, the show where we dive deep into the trends and leaders shaping our industry. Today, we are joined by a guest who has navigated the highest levels of British politics to champion the "life chances agenda." Tom Pursglove is a veteran Conservative politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Corby for nine years. Throughout his parliamentary career, he held several high-profile ministerial roles, including Minister of State for Legal Migration and the Border, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, and Minister for Crime and Policing. Having entered Parliament as the youngest Conservative MP of his cohort at age 26, Tom brings a unique, energetic perspective on social mobility and employment. Today, he joins us to discuss the holistic view of apprenticeships, the skills gap in the construction sector, and how we can better support SMEs in hiring the next generation of talent.

MoverShakers_ Festivals Fitters and the Future of Trade_ A Deep Dive with David Ventris-Field

Welcome to another episode of Movers & Shakers the show where we sit down with the leaders defining the future of our industry. I’m your host, and today we are thrilled to welcome David Ventris-Field. David is the Event Director for the Installer Show, a role he stepped into after serving as Sales Director for the event. With over 20 years of experience spanning events, exhibitions, media, and advertising, David has a proven track record of resilience—growing businesses through everything from the 2008 financial crisis to the challenges of Covid. Today, he’s the driving force behind one of the UK’s fastest-growing trade events, focused on bridging the gap between installers, retailers, and the wider construction supply chain. We’ll be discussing the ‘festival’ feel of modern trade shows, the critical need for apprenticeship signposting, and David’s personal philosophy on building trust through genuine curiosity. This episode is proudly sponsored by Installer Show New York.