KBSA unveils awards shortlist and special guest for retailer dinner

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association – KBSA – has unveiled the shortlist for the 2019 Designer Awards, as well as naming entrepreneur Toby Rhodes, pictured, as a special guest for the exclusive retailer dinner taking place the evening before the 2019 conference, AGM and awards.

Rhodes will be giving a presentation on ‘The lost art of conversation’ at the retailer dinner, taking place on the 24th September at the Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon. “We are delighted to have Toby as an after-dinner speaker,” said KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert.

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“His talk promises to be engaging and inspiring and I am sure that our guests will appreciate his thoughts on the power of communication, and why it is important in growing a business.” He added: “The exclusive retailer dinner has become a firm favourite with retailers who appreciate the opportunity to network with other business owners and build relationships.”

The organisation has named the finalists in this year’s awards, with the winners set to be announced at an awards dinner after the conference on the 25th September. “We had an amazing response this year, the largest number of entries since 2012, and the standard was extremely high,” Hibbert said.

“The judges faced a difficult task but have agreed on the finalists, our congratulations go to all those that made the shortlist, we look forward to welcoming them to the awards dinner on 25th September.”

The shortlist for the KBSA Designer Awards 2019 is as follows:

Kitchens up to £25k

• Aileen Thomson – Kitchens International
• Belinda Dangerfield – Qudaus Living
• Victoria Otty – Diane Berry Kitchens Ltd
• Nick Dolling – Bradburys of Exeter Ltd
• Mike Hughes – Mike Hughes Kitchens & Bedrooms

Kitchens £25k-£50k

• Rebecca Brown – The Kitchen Showroom Ltd
• Diane Berry – Diane Berry Kitchens Ltd
• Nick Dolling – Bradburys of Exeter Ltd
• Angus Mackintosh – Kitchens International

Kitchens over £50k

• Dan Stronge – Jones Britain
• Rob Mascari – Mascari
• Diane Berry – Diane Berry Kitchens Ltd (3 entries)

Bathroom Designer

• Hollie Kerr – EKCO
• Nicola Whyte – EKCO (2 entries)
• Rebecca Brown - The Kitchen Showroom Ltd

Young Designer

• Kirstie Smith – Classic Interiors
• Tilly Holton – Ruach Kitchens
• Jenny Dobson – Cameron Interiors Ltd
• Adam Bomok – cu_cucine
• Faye Newman – 3D Kitchens.Net

Kitchen Concept

• Gillian Barrie – Kitchens International
• Samantha Mascari – Mascari
• Karen Berry – Kitchens International
• Gary Gourlay – Kitchens International
• Bethany Blair – EKCO
• Karen MacArthur – Kitchens International