Kitchens & Bathrooms News (KBN) has announced its first inductees for the newly-founded KBB Retail Hall of Fame, sponsored by boiling water tap brand Wödår.

Owner and senior design consultant of Anglia Interiors Arron Bird, managing director of Ripples Paul Crow, managing director of Roundhouse Craig Matson and chairman and head designer of Ledbury Studio Charlie Smallbone will all be inducted in 2025.

Owner and senior design consultant of Anglia Interiors Arron Bird started out as a cabinet maker, with the company, in 1987.

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He now heads up the family-run business, founded by his father Peter Bird 50 years ago, and is regional director of trade association the Kbsa helping to drive standards in the KBB retail industry.

Managing director of Ripples Paul Crow has been with the business for 26 years and continues the ethos of its founders Roger and Sandra Kyme, to deliver personal customer service.

He oversees the development of the 21-strong franchise, which has recently opened a showroom in Norwich, named one of the top franchises in the UK, winning over 70 industry awards across the group, including for its prowess as a charity fundraiser.

While trained architect and managing director of independent bespoke kitchen retailer Roundhouse Design, Craig Matson has a passion for professionalism.

Helping establish the foundation degree in kitchen design in 2014, he also set up registered charity TKET to bridge the gap between education and industry.

Completing the 2025 inductees is Charlie Smallbone who has 48 years of experience in the kitchen industry, having founded Smallbone of Devizes in 1976, created a signature collection for Rock & Bone, and most recently established Ledbury Studio.

His latest venture creates bespoke, home interiors from kitchens and bathrooms through to home bars, media rooms and dressing rooms, with showrooms in Notting Hill and Weybridge in Surrey.

Nominated by their peers, and chosen by industry experts, the final selection was made by an esteemed panel, comprising sales director of MHK UK David Morris, membership director of the Kbsa Malcolm Scott and CEO of the British Institute of Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms (BiKBBI), Damian Waters.

Editor of KBN Philippa Turrell commented on the launch of the KBB Retail Hall of Fame and the first four retailers to be inducted: “From the arts, through to sports and science, there is a Hall of Fame to honour excellence for individuals in perpetuity. We have now introduced this concept to KBB retail.

“While KBN will be a custodian of the Hall of Fame, it is curated by the industry and belongs to the industry.

“We are absolutely thrilled to reveal the names of the inaugural inductees, commending all four for demonstrating excellence in their field, establishing and maintaining standards in KBB retail and creating a legacy of which they and the industry can be proud.

“We proudly welcome Arron Bird, Paul Crow, Craig Matson and Charlie Smallbone to the elite club of ambassadors for the KBB retail industry.”

Marking a milestone for the kitchen and bathroom retail industry, the inductees will be listed on a roll of honour for in perpetuity, creating a lasting legacy of excellence in the KBB retail sector.

They will be profiled in future issues of Kitchens & Bathroom News and each of the inductees will be presented a limited edition KBB Retail Hall of Fame insignia.