Big names booked for Industry Conference

This year’s Bathroom and Kitchen Industry Business Conference, with the working title ‘Challenging Norms,’ is already proving to be a big hit.

“With just less than 6 months to go before the event, both speakers and industry luminaries are being lined up to take part,” delights Yvonne Orgill, CEO of the BMA which is organising the conference. “Delegate bookings are now being taken and are in fact already ahead of last year. The pressure is on to build upon our previous successes.”

Several famous names have been engaged to give the long-established event the quality which the conference demands. Here are the first four.

Heading the list is Michael Buerk who has enjoyed a long career as a journalist and newsreader. When it comes to product design and innovation, one man always stands out from the pack, Dick Powell. He is co-founder and Chairman of internationally renowned design and innovation company Seymourpowell. Paul McGee is an internationally recognised speaker and best-selling author whose presentations are relevant, thought provoking and packed with unique insights. Hosting the conference is Kasia Madera. Kasia is a BBC World News presenter and is one of the main anchors of the ‘Newsday’ programme, she can also be seen on World News Today which is shown on BBC4 and BBC World. Kasia has worked as a Journalist and Presenter at the BBC since 2002. Kasia has worked on many of the big news stories. A particular highlight was presenting on the night of the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Kasia's programme was simulcast on BBC One and attracted some of the BBC News Channel's highest audience figures.

He has probably won more international awards for television reporting than any other British journalist. Michael will bring us a fresh observation of the pressure on industry to deliver with ruthless and decisive management. He will challenge our norms in his Key Note speech.


He has many years’ experience in the bathroom and kitchen industry but for the conference he will be looking beyond the usual boundaries, challenging norms. His talk ‘Designing Innovation’ describes his belief that design is not just about being different or more stylish, but about being better - better for people, better for business and better for the world


His aim in these presentations is to engage, entertain, and above all equip people with both ideas and the inspiration to make a difference.

His talk will develop his SUMO theories; dealing with change, building better relationships, developing a resilient attitude to life, maintaining morale and motivation, dealing with stress, inspiring confidence, releasing potential, building character, creating possibilities  - and we suspect much more!


“Once again we are looking outside our four walls, looking beyond our industry, and challenging norms” says Orgill. “We have taken last year’s feedback on board and this year’s conference is shaping up to be a triumph!”
The Bathroom and Kitchen Industry Conference
Tuesday 13 October 2015
Heythrop Park, Enstone, Oxfordshire