Industry Ambassador John Robinson has been selected to represent bathroom manufacturers in a reception hosted by Stephen Metcalfe MP at the Houses of Parliament later this month.
Mr Metcalfe is Patron of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installers (BIKBBI), which is promising an announcement that will be a “game changer” for installers.
The meeting is one of a growing number of opportunities for Ideal Standard to play a more prominent role in the industry which have come about since John took up the Industry Ambassador position last summer.
He already has more than 50 days of events, meetings, conferences and other activities lined up for 2019 in which he will build and maintain relationships with key organisations.
These bodies include the BIKBBI, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (CIPHE), the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC), the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) and the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA).
Ideal Standard has held memberships of several associations for many years, with some stretching back decades.
John said: “There is a real benefit to spending time with these associations and other industry bodies. We have contributed to them for many years but we have never punched our weight.
“We are a market leader, we are the biggest manufacturer in the UK but we haven’t been playing a role in supporting, shaping and influencing these organisations.”
Stephen Ewer, Managing Director – UK Cluster, said: "Ideal Standard and its employees have a huge amount of knowledge gained over many years as a market leading business yet, in recent years, we haven’t really used that position to influence the industry.
"This is a key element to our strategy and John is the ideal person to lead this agenda. It’s very pleasing to see his efforts bearing fruit already."
John, who has worked for Ideal Standard for 34 years, stepped down from the company’s Executive Board in 2018 year to take on the industry ambassador role.
He said that having someone focused on developing relationships with other organisations was already paying dividends.
Later this year, as Vice President of the BMA, John will be on the panel which will make the high profile appointment of the organisation’s new Chief Executive. In 2020 he will become the association’s President.
John said the role has also opened doors with WRAS, the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme, and the Confederation of British Industries, of which we are now an industry associate.
It is also enabling the business to influence the APHC’s bid to introduce a government-backed licensing scheme for plumbers, which could have a profound effect on the industry.
He said: “I started this last July and within six months I had attended over 100 association meetings and I already have 50+ firmed up for this year.
“We are starting to have an influence in these bodies and it’s not because of me as an individual; it’s the fact that I’m from Ideal Standard and we have a lot to offer.”