Q & A WITH JUSTIN ADGAR

In our summer issue wefeature Justin Adgar forour staff Q & A.

Joining in 2019, Justinis an industry leader.With senior leadershipexperience at Homebaseand Bathstore, Justin

is responsible for thedevelopment of our retailstrategy.

What is your role within the BiKBBI?

Director of Retail Strategy, It’s my role to spread the word to our retail partners what BiKBBI Protected can do to help them sell more KBB projects.

What were your first impressions when joining the institute?

I’ve known Damian for nearly 20 years and I’ve seen him build the institute from conception. It was visionary to recognise the importance of installation businesses’ and their role with in the KBB industry and the fact that they had no representation structure or development. It’s really satisfying to see what it’s become and it support through the current Covid-19 pandemic has been exemplary. I’ve been a retailer that benefitted from the institute’s work in the past so joining the team felt really natural.

And how has your view changed, if at all?

Not so much changed as reinforced the influence and scale of the work that goes on behind the badge. I think it’s still a little undersold regarding its importance to our industry – who else would have liaised with the government on behalf of Installation Businesses in KBB if there was no BiKBBI? Who else would pull together a national apprenticeship scheme for KBB installations?

On the lighter side, who or what makes you laugh?

Damian, when he’s not playing the serious business and industry leader he’s like a Southern Gazza with that ‘non-stop’ sense of fun and broad Essex accent, his latest lockdown buzzcut just adds to the picture.

Name 3 people past or present that you would love to invite to a boys night out?

Gazza, Danny Baker and Chris Evans – their antics in the 90’s used to crease me up – I think I’d need to go back to the 90’s to make the most of it though.

Name 3 you’d least like to invite?

Think there are 3 or more world leaders that I would not be able to get through a dinner date with, but I’m not going to get political so I’ll leave it to your imagination.

Kitesurfing – Robby Naish, a true icon in watersport, I would have said Alan Shearer but that was too predictable.

Favourite movie?Point Break

Name a record that would get you dancing and one to help you chill out?

Dance, Love Shack B52’s Chill out, Say you won’t let go – James Arthur

What would you most like to hear said about you?

That I’m fair. As a young installation manager (some time ago) I heard an installer telling another who didn’t know me that I was tough but fair and to be honest it made my day.

And what would be the worst?

That I was mean, I’ve had to make tough business decisions in my time, they have always been for the good of the bigger picture and never about individuals.

Name your first car? Fiesta 1.8d van Favourite tipple? Nice malbec

Favourite cuisine?Can’t beat a great curry!Tell us a claim to fame?

Too many that are best not mentioned. Sporting wise, doing a forward loop and the 12x windsurfing world champion Bjorn Dunkerbeck congratulating me in the bar afterwards.

What’s been the best day of your life (keep it clean)?

Has to be marrying Camilla, definitely the high point for me.

Finally, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Look for the good in people