CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE iKBBI

2016 is a landmark year for the iKBBI as the organisation celebrates its tenth birthday. From modest ideological roots, the institute has grown into a successful, meaningful and most importantly, highly respected player in the KBB industry.

The Installer magazine, with the iKBBI CEO Damian Walters, takes a look at some of the institutes key moments with an historical timeline:

2006

Founded by three industry experts, Damian Walters (DW), Andrew Carter and Gordon Smith, the iKBBI was soft launched in 2006 with an objective to support installation businesses with their commercial aspirations, whilst defining installation standards and providing UK consumers with an improved and informed choice.

Damian, Andrew & Gordon

DW: “The initial plan was to work exclusively with installers, although over time it became apparent that an institute should have greater influence over a much wider cross section of the industry.” Initially viewed with scepticism by some and branded "another meaningless badge" by a few, the strategic view was that in order to have a meaningful impact on the industry, the organisation had to be different to anything that had ever existed 

In the news 2006

• Twitter is launched by Jack Dorsey

• "To google" (verb) enters the Oxford English Dictionary

• Saddam Hussein is executed.

• At least six men stage Britain's biggest robbery ever, stealing £53m in Tonbridge,Kent.

before. An institute, with a very strong legal definition, had not been in existence before and therefore it was felt that it could have a very specific role to play within the industry it represents. Whilst they chose a tough and arduous process to bring to market, the three founders decided nevertheless to apply for institute status - and there the journey officially begun!

2007

Following an application to government in April 2007, the iKBBI was granted official institute status from The Secretary of State (Sir John Hutton), with support from industry organisations including The National Training Group (NTG), Construction Skills, CITB and ProSkills. The process to become an institute was via a six-month-long period of due diligence by the government due to the fact that institute status is only granted to those organisations of the highest standing. Failure to seek approval from the Secretary of State for use of the word 'institute' is actually a criminal offence, this demonstrates the significant nature and legal standing an institute is responsible for.

This year was all about planning, systems, processes and on the road gaining support from potential key stakeholders. As any established business owner will testify, despite the first few months and years being the most exciting, they are equally the most demanding and stressful.

2008

Founding sponsors that committed financially to the initiative included the ’blue-chip’ international brands Blum and Franke, together with BUPA, RAC and Classic Marble.

DW: “The first wave of sponsors played an incredibly important part in helping establish the organisation as they immediately added kudos and gravitas and without their early and pioneering commitment we would have never begun the journey so my gratitude to them all is enormous. Blum, Classic Marble and Franke remain sponsors, this is something that I'm incredibly proud of. In fact, 2008 was a busy year as we also saw the launch of the institute’s first generation website and undertook the process of accreditation for

In the news 2007

• Celebrity Big Brother racism row erupts, resulting in the Jade Goody backlash

• Britney shaves her head. When asked why by a reporter, she replies "because of you"

• Apple releases the iPhone

•A car crashes into Glasgow International Airport in Scotland, believed to be a terrorist attack.

• Smoking is banned from United Kingdom's public places.

• Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

• Worldwide performances by charity event Live Earth.

installers, accrediting its first member in January of that year. Alan Travers of Walthamstow, London was officially the first to commit and I'm so proud that Alan is not only still with us, but with our help has grown his business and is operating a great enterprise from his base in East London. Alan features in a

Alan Travers, iKBBI's first member

lot of our literature as we keep very close to him and rely on his experience and commitment to help the development of our installer / member proposition.” John Lewis of Hungerford PLC (not to be confused with John Lewis Partnership) were the first ever retailer to insist that all of its installers become accredited members of the iKBBI. Managing Director, Jon Rosby was at the time building a great British-built kitchen business and allowed us to support him to develop a robust installation service. John Lewis of Hungerford remain strong Installation Standards Partners and have developed a seven figure installation business with our support.

The iKBBI Consultation Panel was formed that constituted a group of industry professionals whose views would help structure and form the institute over coming years. The KBB Installer Magazine was developed with DMG World Media (now owned by Taylist Media) and the UK’s first-ever glossy magazine was launched specifically for KBB installers. This was an incredibly important milestone for us and I'd like to thank Patrick Taylor and Andrew Davies for their support in bringing that publication to life.

In 2008 the iKBBI also launched an industry training questionnaire for the first time asking time-served professional installer’s opinions of training. 

In the news 2008

• Amy Winehouse wins 50th Grammy Awards with Rehab

• The historic Weston-superMare Grand Pier burns down for a second time in 80 years.

• Usain Bolt sets a new 100 metres dash world record of 9.69 seconds at the Beijing 2008 summer olympics.

• OJ Simpson is sentenced to 33 years in prison for kidnapping and armed robbery

iKBBI hitting the headlines of 2007 in kbbreview

2009

Our find-a-member website, www.professionalfitters. org, was launched in a bid to help members connect with consumers. For the first time in UK history, consumers could find trusted local installers who specialised in KBB installations; this was a real milestone for the iKBBI.

As a direct result of MFI’s collapse in 2008, the iKBBI started working with retailers to help members find new work streams. The Big Bathroom Shop and Tesco were the first to support our initiative and we were proud to have helped hundreds of members with new and exciting opportunities.

In 2009 the iKBBI launched marketing material for members to help them connect with new customers. The “Why Choose a Member” leaflet was born and marketing support for members began and started paying dividend for those installers who used them. The institute also welcomed its 500th member as real time national coverage was generated for the first time. We had installers registered from as far north as Aberdeen and as far south as Plymouth! The iKBBI Dispute Resolution Service was launched for consumers, providing free and independent advice to those consumers who needed a helping hand with their home improvement projects. Remote advice and guidance was available to consumers who had not used an IKBBI member and onsite support available to those who had used a member (thankfully a rare occurrence). This service remains in operation today and we continue to support hundreds of consumers each year with advice and guidance.

DW: “In 2009, we engaged over 1,500 installation businesses across the UK on a national roadshow, visiting towns and cities across the country. We gained lots of feedback and subsequently attracted new members. It was the first time we got face-to-face with our audience and we gained a lot of followers by doing so. Also, a new SMS text service was launched later this year, which enabled us to communicate

One of iKBBI’s first adverts

In the news 2009

• 61 people die in nightclub fire in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Barack Obama, is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America, becomes the United States' first African-American president

• Adele wins the 51st Grammy Awards with Please Read The Letter

• The United Kingdom formally ends combat operations in Iraq.

• Air France Flight 447 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. All 228 passengers and crew were killed.

more efficiently to our members, it was a simple breakthrough but really effective as we could now send instant messages to members. This was as a direct result of feedback that we gained from the roadshows.”

The Right Honourable Brian Binley MP

DW: “We were also proud to announce our first patron of the iKBBI, the Right Honourable Brian Binley MP (Conservative). Brian is a staunch supporter of the UK SME population; and he was our link into central government for the first time. Whilst now retired, Brian was a key supporter of ours and an influential figurehead.”

2010

New sponsors joined the iKBBI including AnyJunk and Autonet Van Rental. The re-vamped Finda-Member website was unveiled, helping consumers locate and choose the right installer for their kitchen, bedroom or bathroom home project. DW: “Our close working relationship with the BMA (Bathroom Manufacturers Association) continued and we became associate members to help strengthen this key relationship. Yvonne Orgil (BMA CEO) has been a real friend to the institute over the years, I remember her saying that an organisation would take at least 5 years to turn a corner - well, Yvonne was absolutely correct!” “We also worked with both Channel 4 and Sky TV as representatives of the KBB installation industry, appearing numerous times providing advice and guidance for UK consumers. This was a great opportunity for us to help communicate our existence to consumers and increase brand awareness, this is something that’s usually extremely difficult to achieve without a huge marketing spend.” 2010 was notable for the formation of coalition government for the first time in modern UK history; it also brought with it a deepening of the global economic crisis. In response, the institute, working with our MP patron, developed a number of marketing and costs saving initiatives to assist members ride the financial storm.

Website stats reached a high as 

In the news 2010

• Simon Cowell leaves "American Idol

• Volcanic ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland leads to the closure of airspace over most of Europe

• The 2010 general election took place, resulting in a hung parliament.

• Twelve people were killed and 25 injured after a gunman, identified as taxi driver Derrick Bird, went on a killing spree in Cumbria

• Christopher Brown (aged 29) is shot dead in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, by Raoul Moat who badly wounds his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart. PC David Rathband is badly wounded the following day by Raoul Moat

for the first time, it received over 1,000 unique visitors each week.

The iKBBI joined the National Home Improvement Council, working on several topics including the government Green Deal and the Get Britain Building Campaign.

2011

DW: “Our big initiative for 2011 was the development of the iKBBI Installation Standards Partnership initiative. For the first time we began work on an initiative that brings leading retailers together to work on the task of defining installation standards within the KBB industry. Encouragingly, we gained in-principle support from several retailers including the team at Mark Two/Tesco who we’d supported in 2009.”

2012

The iKBBI sponsorship programme continues to grow as founding sponsor, Classic Marble, renews its support of the institute and its objectives. Industry insurance specialist UK Special Risks sponsor the iKBBI and provide essential support and guidance to members on all things insurance related.

The iKBBI exhibits at the industry’s largest trade exhibition with a modest sized stand at KBB Birmingham; a long standing relationship begins with the organisers, and the institutes vision and ethos is shared with global trade visitors. The iKBBI has supported the show ever since and is proud partners of UBM, the show's organiser.

CDUK, exclusive UK distributors of DuPont Corian pledges sponsorship support of the iKBBI as the organisations association with leading global brands continues.

Mark Two Home (acting for Tesco Kitchens & Bathrooms) becomes the first national brand to join the Installation Standards Partnership initiative, although its installers had been accredited members of the iKBBI for some time already. High Street giant, John Lewis Partnership becomes an official Installation Standards Partner and our support of its growing 

In the news 2011

• The Daily Sport and Sunday Sport tabloid newspapers ceased publication and enter administration

• Prince William, and Catherine Middleton married in Westminster Abbey

• News of the World ceased publication after its final edition on Sunday 10 July having been in circulation for 168 years

• The singer songwriter Amy Winehouse, 27, was found dead at her London home

• Osama bin Laden, the FBI's most wanted man is killed by United States special forces in Abbottabad, Pakistan

In the news 2012

• Barcelona football player Lionel Messi breaks the European goalscoring record with 68 goals

• Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Diamond Jubilee

• London hosts the 2012 Summer Olympic Games

KBB operation commences with the accreditation of its kitchen installers nationally. The iKBBI undertake a holistic review of their operation and provides consultation on future development opportunities, support that continues today.

2013

European home improvement mega-brand B&Q joins the Installation Standards Partnership as hundreds of its installers become supported and accredited by the iKBBI. This was a demonstrable milestone for the iKBBI and something I am particularly proud of. B&Q also took the decision to fund the accreditation of their installers was a first for the initiative and demonstration of their support to their installers.

B&Q installers become supported and acrredited by the IKBBI Hippo become sponsors of the iKBBI in 2013

MP Stephen Metcalfe (pictured left with PM David Cameron) commits to supporting the iKBBI

The restructured Bathstore joins the iKBBI and accreditation of their installation population commences. The international brand of Laura Ashley and UK department store Debenhams join the ISP initiative as they develop new bathroom product offerings to their customers. National waste solutions giant HIPPO become sponsors and the iKBBI work with them and members to provide robust and environmentally sound waste solutions to the KBB industry.

The iKBBI exhibits at the May Design Series at London ExCeL attracting many consumer and trade visitors including celebrity designer Linda Barker. It was at this show that a new relationship was formed with a new sponsor in FESTOOL (the German tool manufacturing giant). Member of Parliament Stephen Metcalfe commits to supporting the iKBBI as its second Patron, joining The Rt.Hon. Brian Binley MP. Stephen is an SME activist and local MP for the area in which the iKBBI head office

In the news 2013

• Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dies following a stroke

• Lee Rigby, a Drummer of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London

• Same-sex marriage becomes legal in England and Wales

• Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all seven of his Tour de France victories

• Oscar Pistorius, a South African amputee sprinter, is charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp

• Bayern Munich win the Champions League

• Andy Murray defeats Novak Djokovic to become the first British man to win Wimbledon since 1936

• Prince George of Cambridge is born to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

is based (Thurrock, Essex). iKBBI co-founder Andrew Carter steps down as Director and retires abroad to sunnier climates.

The ibis’ relationship with the BMA strengthens as the institute promotes the association's diploma in bathroom studies as well as various key initiatives including the European Water Label and various health & safety campaigns. iKBBI members receive access to specific asbestos awareness training via a new partnership with a UKATA approved provider. Not only do KBB installers now have access to asbestos awareness qualification (a legal requirement), but also a qualification that is relevant to them and their trade!

2014

The year starts positively as the owner of consumer websites kitchen-compare, bedroomcompare, bathroom-compare and trade-compare.com confirms its long-term support of the iKBBI via sponsorship.

The iKBBI again exhibits at the national KBB trade show in Birmingham and pledges to strengthen relationships with the KBB National Training Group on apprentice schemes for kitchen installers.

An appearance on The BBC in April sparks new interest in the iKBBI and the institute receives invitations to act as industry representatives on several shows scheduled for 2014/15.

Retired Metropolitan Police officer Geoffrey Jackson joins the iKBBI, heading the Dispute Resolution Service for consumers as the organisation steps up support to members and the customers they serve. The iKBBI recruits its 2,500th member in April as renew rates hit an all time high of 90%! Work on a new find-a-member search tool commences, with launch planned for the summer.

2015

Symphony’s Robert Williamson, (left) agrees commitment to the Installation Standards Partnership

2015 was a monumental year for the iKBBI. It attracted new Installation Standards Partners Omega PLC and Symphony Group PLC as well as launching an apprenticeship initiative targeting the next generation of kitchen, bedroom and bathroom installers.

It welcomed its 3,800th member in the summer of 2015 as well

In the news 2014

• Jonny Wilkinson plays his final rugby match in Britain

• Lewis Hamilton wins the 2014 British Grand Prix

• The 2014 Commonwealth Games opens in Glasgow.

• David Cameron condemns the killing of British hostage David Haines as an "act of pure evil"

• Scotland votes "No" to Scottish independence

• Six people are killed after a refuse lorry crashes into a group of people in Glasgow's George Square

• Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 with 239 people loses contact and disappears

• Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crashes (presumed shot down by either pro-Russian separatists or the Ukrainian militia), killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board

as announcing a new and innovative accreditation tier system, expanding membership from domestic installers to include contract site installers, appliance engineers, fabricators as well as recognition for experienced members with its new 'Master Member' grading. The iKBBI also announced strategic collaborations with some huge brands, including the consumer watchdog Which? and its Trusted Trader division. Collaborations with CAPITA (the business responsible for the Gas Safe Register) and the Furniture Ombudsman (TFO) were also announced in 2015.

New sponsors Currys PC World and Trade-up Kitchens committed to vital financial support. The iKBBI also became sponsors of the inaugural Scottish Home Improvement Awards, reaching out to businesses and consumers north of the boarder. Commitment was also made to support KBB Birmingham 2016, as well as Installer Live and UK Construction Week 2016. a wider communication strategy, which included the appointment of a new head office Communications Manager role. The iKBBI Inspection Network launched in November and will play an important role supporting The Furniture Ombudsman and the newly launched Consumer Rights Act (2015) and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Inspection will also play a huge role in the iKBBI offering moving forward.

2016

DW “We launch Corporate Membership this year and view this as an incredibly important tool to generate income to fund the various educational initiatives we're focusing on.” Former Trading Standards Chairman John Peerless and

iKBBI CEO Damian Walters at the Scottish Home Improvement Awards

issue 1 - spring 2015

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The iKBBI Installer Magazine was relaunched in the spring of 2015, with a circulation to the KBB industry of circa 10,000+. The magazine forms part of

In the news 2015

• TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson is suspended from Top Gear, after a "fracas" with a producer

• A serious collision on The Smiler ride at Alton Towers causes four people to be airlifted to hospital with major injuries

• 38 people are killed after a terrorist attack on a beach near the Tunisian resort town of Sousse

• Cilla Black, whose showbiz career spanned over 50 years, dies at her villa in Spain, at the age of 72.

• Millions of people gathered in Paris to take part in a rally after 17 people were killed during three days of terror in the French capital which included an attack by gunmen on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The city suffered again later in the year when 130 people were killed in further attacks on bars and restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade de France.

consumer protection insurance expert Vince Linnane join the institute as Non-Executive Directors. Two hugely important people, their experience will play a vital role in the organisation moving forward. Work on a KBB installation Specific apprenticeship continues as our relationship with The Prospects College of Advanced Technology strengthens.

Our work with The Furniture Ombudsmen continues this year as the first wave of inspections commence in support of the new Consumer Rights legislation emerges. Our Core principles are defined this year as Education & Development, Standards & Inspection and Support & Mediation. DW “As for the next ten years, well, the organisation has my commitment to continue. I am incredibly proud of what's been achieved over the last ten years and I'm very much looking forward to the next ten.”

In the news 2016

• David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of his era, died of cancer at the age of 69

• Suicide bombings at Brussel's Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station, leave around 28 victims dead and 260 injured, ISIS claim responsibility

The current iKBBI team