Stronger Together: Simon Acres Group at the Bathroom Association Connect Conference 2026
On 8th October, Simon Acres Group was delighted to attend the Bathroom Association Connect Conference 2026, held at The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. Bringing together over 120 professionals from across the bathroom industry, the event offered a fantastic opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss the challenges facing our sector and reconnect with familiar faces.
Representing Simon Acres Group were Simon Acres, who joined an expert industry panel, and Ashley Kenward, who enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, strengthen existing relationships and make new connections.
Bringing the industry together
With this year’s theme, Stronger Together, the conference highlighted something we have always believed at Simon Acres Group: collaboration, shared knowledge and strong relationships are essential to moving our industry forward.
The day brought together manufacturers, distributors, merchants, retailers, installers and industry partners for open conversations about current market conditions, changing customer expectations and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Despite the challenges facing the UK economy and construction sector, there was a clear sense of determination to find practical solutions and build a more resilient future.
Simon Acres joins the conversation on skills and competence
One of the key discussions of the day focused on an issue particularly close to our hearts at Simon Acres Group: attracting, developing and retaining talent within the bathroom industry.
Simon Acres joined a panel chaired by Andrew McLean, Technical Director of the Bathroom Association, alongside Steve Collinge of Insights Retail Group, Julie McLean of Hansgrohe and Jonathan Samuel of Water Regs UK.
The discussion explored the growing skills gap, the changing demographics of the plumbing and installation workforce, and what businesses can do to encourage more people to consider careers in the sector.
As a business working closely with employers and professionals across the KBB industry, we understand how important it is to build a strong talent pipeline.
Apprenticeships are an important part of the solution, but developing the next generation of industry professionals requires a broader approach. Businesses need to raise awareness of the career opportunities available, engage with education providers and invest in developing their people.
For us, the conversation reinforced the importance of working together to make the bathroom industry an attractive, rewarding and sustainable career choice for future generations.
Fresh perspectives and valuable insights
The conference featured an engaging line-up of speakers, each offering a different perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses today.
Jez Rose opened the event with an inspiring session on resilience, adaptability and approaching change with a more positive mindset.
Rebecca Larkin from the Construction Products Association provided a realistic overview of the UK construction market, highlighting the economic pressures affecting businesses while identifying areas of potential growth.
Dr Vanessa Brady OBE explored the evolving role of design and the importance of understanding changing customer needs, while Rob Law MBE, creator of Trunki, closed the daytime programme with an inspiring story of innovation, persistence and turning setbacks into opportunities.
Across the sessions, one message stood out: businesses that stay adaptable, understand their customers and invest in their people will be better positioned to navigate change.
Reconnecting with the industry
Beyond the presentations and panel discussions, one of the most valuable aspects of Connect 2026 was the opportunity to spend time with people from across the sector.
For Ashley Kenward, the event provided a welcome opportunity to reconnect with industry contacts, catch up with familiar faces and build new relationships.
At Simon Acres Group, relationships are at the heart of what we do. Events like Connect remind us just how valuable face-to-face conversations can be, whether that’s sharing industry experiences, discussing recruitment challenges or simply strengthening connections built over the years.
Looking ahead
We left Connect 2026 encouraged by the conversations, insights and commitment shown by everyone involved.
There is no doubt that the bathroom industry faces challenges, from economic uncertainty and shifting customer expectations to ongoing skills shortages. However, events like this demonstrate the strength of the people and businesses working within our sector.
At Simon Acres Group, we remain committed to supporting the industry through talent development, recruitment expertise and meaningful partnerships.
A big thank you to Daphne Doody-Green and the entire Bathroom Association team for organising such a valuable event, and to everyone who contributed to the discussions throughout the day.
We look forward to continuing the conversations and working together to build a stronger future for our industry.
Stronger Together, indeed.
Simon Acres Group Ltd
