BIGA update

BIGA Boots

Trade association appoints new Head of Operations

The directors at the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA), are excited to welcome Carolyn Furber as its newly appointed Operations Manager. Carolyn takes on the role overseeing BIGA’s operations and membership management.

With a background across Finance and dog grooming Carolyn brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to help ensure ‘the BIGA promise’.

“The BIGA promise,” explains Chairman Kristian Maris, “is to continue our development as the grassroots trade association and community support network of pet grooming businesses across the UK. Lifting standards in our professionalism and business practices, our grooming, and the welfare of pets in our care. I congratulate Carolyn, I am looking forward to working with her, and I especially welcome her experience and candour to help ensure BIGA delivers on this very special commitment.”

Established in 2016, BIGA is also an associate member of The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) and actively participates in discussions around the proposed future licensing of pet groomers, among other related pet welfare issues. BIGA also regularly consulted with the CFSG during the national lockdowns related to Covid, ensuring the concerns of its members were heard, and that groomers received timely communications as the government navigated its response to Covid.

“I am excited by this BIGA opportunity” said Carolyn, “it will enable me to use my financial experience along with my relationship skills and knowledge of dog grooming, but the best part is that I will be working with BIGA.

“Over the last six years, BIGA has demonstrated staying power, and it is really making a difference” she explains. “The foundations are there for us now to take things further. Covid has affected us all in the last couple of years but, as we move towards a new normal, there is plenty for BIGA to be getting on with. Of course, we will continue to advocate for regulation of the industry. This will come before time, and BIGA will be reaching out to help our grooming business members get ‘regulation-ready’. It’s

Carolyn Furber

an ambitious challenge. But it’s driven by a meaningful purpose. Ultimately: the highest standards in the welfare of our pets. So, I am keen to get on and help make a BIGA difference and look forward to meeting many new people across this industry who share the same conviction that there is a better way, a BIGA way.”

To find out more about the British Isles Grooming Association, please visit www. mybiga.org