Q & A WITH DIONNE STARR

SALES DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT WILSONART

Wilsonart UK, manufacturer and distributor of highpressure laminate surfaces, has appointed Dionne Starr as its new Sales Development Manager, as the business looks to enhance the support on offer to its network of kitchen and bathroom retailers – a move which, in turn will improve the range of products and extensive support available to installers.

The Installer magazine spoke to Dionne about her thoughts on the industry and gained an insight into some of the values she holds in high regard as she steps into her new role.

1. What makes the kbb industry such an exciting one to be involved in right now? “Having seen the industry benefit a great deal from the home improvement boom around the pandemic, we’ve seen so many more homeowners and installers embrace the latest design trends and product innovation than we’d have typically seen before in such a short space of time.

“From recreating spa-like features in the home to using products such as bathroom panelling to make a real statement, installers have been given the opportunity to really capture the imaginations of their customers and create some outstanding work along the way.

2. Having been hired to focus on Bushboard’s wall panelling systems initially, how much of an opportunity do you think the product category offers installers buying from the retailers you work very closely with? “I think the surge in demand for installers and the likely impact of that on the quotes for projects has made homeowners seriously consider products that take less time to install and also less time to clean and maintain. Bathroom panels certainly meet both of those requirements and given the size of the market for tiles in the UK, the potential for panelling to steal a share of that market is huge. The benefit to installers is the potential to diversify their offering while also reducing the time they need to spend on a typical job.”

3. What advice would you give to an installer looking to speak to a retailer about bathroom wall panelling for the first time? “I think my main piece of advice would be not to go into that conversation with too many preconceived ideas around the suitability of the product. The versatility of panelling, as well as its ease of installation, makes it an option suitable for a huge array of projects, so keeping an open mind is really important.”

4. Are there any particular colour or interiors trends you think will be popular in 2022? “One of the biggest trends we’re seeing now is natural textured materials such as stone and wood, which add a degree of warmth to neutral bathroom spaces. We’ve taken these into account with Bushboard’s Nuance range of panels, which offers five on-trend categories that combine the realistic appearance of stone, marble, wood, travertine and quartz together with textured finishes that look just like the materials they have been crafted to represent.”

5. What do you consider to be the three most important personal characteristics to have in the world of business? “My first would be having the human touch – being able to communicate effectively at all levels is so important and that ability to understand different personalities and their wants and needs will usually give individuals a real opportunity to grow in their career.

I also think having an interest in commercials should never be underestimated. The ability to understand forecasts and the vision of the businesses you work for and with gives you a huge opportunity to make a tangible difference through your own ideas.

Finally, I believe everyone should strive for success and to be the best they can.”

6. What was your dream job as a child? “Oddly enough, I actually wanted to be a doctor until I watched Casualty. At that point, I realised that I don’t do blood!”

7. Who is (or was) your role model? “I know it’s a cliché but it’s my mum. She is a strong, independent, reliable woman who strives to be the best she can at everything.”

8. Tell us an interesting fact people would be surprised to hear about you? “I am actually blonde! I’ve had dyed brunette hair and fake eyebrows for many of years now that people who didn’t know me before, find it very hard to believe that I am a natural blonde. Well, that is until I start speaking!”

For more information about Wilsonart UK and the complete spectrum of bathroom surfaces available, or to order a sample, visit:

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