Simon Acres Group hails industry’s ‘appetite for collaboration’ following second KBB Futures roundtable

Specialist recruitment consultancy and online training provider, Simon Acres Group, says practical initiatives to address key industry issues are starting to be developed following the second KBB Futures roundtable event. 

Held during InstallerSHOW 2026 and chaired by Amanda Hughes, the event was sponsored by Blanco and Trojan Baths. It brought manufacturers, retailers, industry associations and other leaders together to address the skills gap, improve recruitment, strengthen retention and foster meaningful collaboration across a fragmented industry.

The session began with an analysis on the scale of the skills crisis and the need to reach young people earlier than school-leaving age. The discussion moved on to address apprenticeships, with a particular focus on maximising the under-utilised apprenticeship levy, as well as retention, culture and career development. Other topics covered included technology and AI, housing growth and industry demand, plus the need for stronger collaboration between organisations across the industry.

The following actions were identified with various panel participants taking the lead on each point:

· Organise a HR & People Forum, bringing together HR professionals and people leaders, to share best practices on recruitment, retention and workplace culture.

· Create a central communication hub where the industry can share best practices, apprenticeship opportunities, levy-sharing initiatives, success stories and collaborative projects.

· Work towards the development of a collaborative alliance between KBB trade associations to strengthen the industry's collective voice.

· Conduct a digital health check through an industry survey to benchmark digital maturity, AI adoption, current business needs and future skills requirements.

· Explore apprenticeship and education initiatives such as a coordinated schools engagement programme.

Simon Acres, managing director, Simon Acres Group, said: “The challenges around skills, retention, AI and housing growth are too significant for any one organisation to solve alone. KBB Futures has been created to bring the industry together, encouraging honest conversations and meaningful actions. The outcomes, from this second roundtable, show the appetite for collaboration across the sector.

“What was particularly encouraging was the shared commitment from the participants to move beyond discussion and begin developing practical initiatives. From initiating stronger links with schools and apprenticeships to improving the way we share knowledge and embrace technology, there is a real opportunity to create lasting change. We look forward to working with our partners, and the wider sector, to turn these actions into tangible results over the coming months.”