This week on The kbbreview Podcast we're talking about the relentless battle every retailer faces with unexpected problems that pop up at exactly the worst possible moment - when time is tight, pressure is high, and the margin for error is basically zero.

Yes, we're all about firefighting today.

Host Andy Davies is joined by regular retailers Trevor, Justine, Nick and Liz, who come armed with their best stories (and by best, we obviously mean the worst). Together, they dig into the reality of constant crisis management: the toll it takes on even the best-laid plans, how much contingency you really need to build into projects, and how to keep clients calm when things start unravelling.

If you’ve ever felt like retail is one long emergency, this one’s for you. 🔥

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It’s the next special bonus episode of our Rising Star series, in association with our very good friends at Blum.

Host George Dean meets Mariam Susan Joseph, a former architect who has risen rapidly through the ranks at Simply Bathrooms, earning two promotions in just her first year.

Mariam shares how her architectural training, attention to detail and hunger to learn helped her transition into bathroom design after relocating to the UK, as well as her role in producing highly technical designs and contributing to the business’s recent rebrand. A brilliant insight into the mindset behind one of the KBB industry’s emerging talents.

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We all want more sales – but in the world of independent KBB retailing, is “sales” still a dirty word?

In this episode, Andy Davies asks whether retailers are too quick to badge themselves as designers rather than salespeople, and whether that mindset is helping or hindering business performance. Design may be the most creative and rewarding part of the job, but does it sometimes get in the way of closing deals, protecting margin, and making the business truly profitable?

Joined by regular panelists Trevor Scott, Liz Pantling-Jones, Nick Warrington and Justine Bullock, we're diving into whether sales techniques should carry the same weight as design skills, how creativity can be a genuine sales USP, and whether independents have unfairly distanced themselves from “sales” thanks to the tactics of the multiples.

• Do some retailers prioritise design theory over commercial reality?
• How do you measure the true success of a designer?
• Are time, value and margin are really being managed as well as they should be?

Sales or design? The panel gets properly stuck into where the balance really lies.

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In this special bonus episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host Matt Baker goes behind the scenes of judging for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026, with an exclusive look at what really goes on in the business categories.

Sponsored by our awards Podcast Partner 2026 Sonas Bathrooms, this episode is part of our run-up to the awards ceremony on Monday, March 2 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Between now and the big night, we’ll be bringing you more bonus episodes that dig into the awards and celebrate the very best talent our industry has to offer.

This month, we’re lifting the curtain on the famously robust judging process as Matt is joined by two judges from the business categories:

• Helen Lord, Co-founder and director of Rehome
• Mike Lloyd, Managing director of Wetrooms Online
• 
  

They share their personal approach to judging, what really makes an entry stand out, and practical tips for anyone thinking of entering the awards in the future. If you’ve ever wondered how winners are decided, this one’s for you.

Tickets are still available for the awards night! If you’re already heading to kbb Birmingham, why not go all in and join the industry’s biggest party?

👉 Find out more and book tables or seats at kbbreview.com/awards

👉 Learn more about our podcast sponsor at sonasbathrooms.com

Now, on with the show. 🎙️

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Season 17 of The kbbreview Podcast continues with a big question and an even bigger hypothetical.

Host Andy Davies is joined by the retailer Fantastic Four for their first episode of 2026 - Trevor Scott from RFK, Liz Pantling-Jones from Lima Kitchens, Nick Warrington from Stuart J Warrington and Justine Bullock from The Tap End

They're diving straight into the fundamentals most small business owners know they should focus on, but rarely get time to - strategy, growth and investment.

So here’s the challenge. If someone handed you £100,000 for your KBB retail business tomorrow, what would you actually do with it?

People, marketing, technology, expansion… or finally fixing that leaky roof? We all say we want money to invest, but how much thought do we really give to how we’d spend it?

Have you booked your tickets for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026? Find out more at kbbreview.com/awards

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Rising Star Spotlight: Amy Hartland

It's the next special bonus episode of our Rising Star series of episodes in association with Blum.

Host George Dean meets Amy Hartland, showroom manager at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors

Amy’s unplanned route into the KBB industry led to a key leadership role, where she now oversees sales, marketing, admin and project coordination. We discuss her role in improving lead management systems, building a strong social media presence, and keeping a busy retail business running smoothly behind the scenes.

An insightful listen for KBB retailers focused on smarter processes, people management and sustainable growth.

🎧 Listen now — with the Rising Star winner revealed at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards on March 2 2026.

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What happens when a mass-market retail heavyweight takes the reins of one of the UK’s most premium bathroom brands?

In this episode of The kbbreview Podcast, host Andy Davies sits down with Dean Weston, the new Managing Director of CP Hart, to talk leadership, luxury and life at the top end of the market.

With a CV spanning Magnet, MFI, Habitat, Bathstore and more, Weston knows retail inside out. But as he explains, stepping into CP Hart under new ownership and in a challenging market is less about reinvention and more about precision. From efficiency and profitability to brand protection and showroom expansion, Weston shares how CP Hart plans to grow without diluting what makes it special.

Candid, insightful and refreshingly honest, this is a must-listen for anyone interested in premium retail, strategic leadership and the realities of running a high-end brand in a tough trading environment.

Have you booked your tickets yet for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026? Go to kbbreview.com/awards for everything you need to know.

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We’re kicking off 2026 - and our first episode of the year - with a heavyweight interview and a true industry icon. We're beginning the new season by going deep with Pat Riley, founder of Bathroom Brands.

Home to names including Crosswater, Burlington, Britton and Showerwall, Bathroom Brands has been through a bit of a self-confessed rough patch and, after stepping back from the business in 2020, Pat - alongside Crosswater founder Dave Hance - has returned to the helm to get the business back on track.

Pat speaks openly about what went wrong, why the founders felt they had to come back, and how they’re personally leading the turnaround. He shares clear, practical insight into rebuilding trust, refocusing on customer service, and striking the right balance between new technology and old-school, face-to-face relationships.

Honest, energetic and forward-looking, this is a fascinating listen for anyone in the KBB sector.

We also recommend catching up with our Dave Hance episode back in December,

And don't forget to book your tickets for the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2026! Click here for the info you need.

This episode is sponsored content

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