Steve Breen is leaving VitrA to join furniture solutions supplier Julian Bowen Limited as CEO, taking over from current CEO Emmett Lenaghan. He joins the business on 20th January beginning a transition period with Lenaghan, who is retiring.
Breen took over as VitrA UK MD in July 2022 after Levent Giray retired from his position after 30 years, having first brought the VitrA brand to the UK in 1992.
Breen joined VitrA from his role as general manager for Finning UK and Ireland. This marked a return to the bathroom industry – he was previously with Ideal Standard, where he was sales director for 3 years. Prior to that he also grew businesses for Electrolux, AkzoNobel Coatings and SITECH UK.
During his time as VitrA MD the company says he made an 'extremely positive impact'. He oversaw the launch of the company's Vitality programme – designed exclusively for independent bathroom retailers, Vitality offers a number of benefits including an exclusive product portfolio of over 1,200 SKUs backed by a stock promise and faster delivery, training, support and enhanced customer service. In addition, he expanded the UK sales team, developed further retail partner initatives, and oversaw major product launches.
VitrA says that a new UK MD will be announced in due course.
