BQF appoints Bathstore CEO as board member

BQF (The British Quality Foundation), the membership organisation for accredited performance improvement, today (8^th February 2016) announces the appointment of a new board member, Gary Favell, CEO of bathstore. Mr Favell brings his wealth of experience from the retail industry, to

support the expansion of BQF’s footprint across key UK industry sectors, including retail, and to assist British businesses launching initiatives to continuously improve their performance.

BQF is the UK’s largest corporate membership organisation committed to promoting, facilitating and raising the standards of excellence in business. It equips organisations with the tools, training and skills to enable them to invest in their own performance improvement programmes and, through a thriving member network, share best practice with organisations from across UK industry. In striving to support businesses to develop their capabilities and innovate, it provides them with access to an extensive network of more than 500 members, including some of the UK’s most successful companies such as Marks and Spencer, Virgin Media and O2.

Gary Favell, who has led bathstore’s business since 2012, brings extensive leadership experience and expertise in retail; he has a track record of dramatically boosting sales and deftly adapting businesses to new market trends and technologies. In the two years since he joined bathstore, sales have grown and this has led to a sustained return to profitability as bathstore expanded its service offering and the quality of its online platform. Prior to joining bathstore, Mr Favell was CEO of Magnet, Wyevale Garden Centres and MFI. He brings this valuable experience to BQF and its members.

Gary Favell, Chief Executive of bathstore, said: “BQF’s pursuit of excellence is something to which all businesses should be aspiring; through its sharing platform, BQF is uniquely positioned to help some of the UK’s most prominent businesses in this endeavour. I greatly look forward to contributing to this process and BQF’s considerable, continued success.”

Russell Longmuir, Director General of the BQF added: “Gary brings an incredible depth of experience to our Board, which will be invaluable as we seek to expand our membership and partner with British businesses to sustainably improve their performance. Gary’s impressive achievements with bathstore are an example for the entire retail industry to follow and his wealth of knowledge will add tremendous value to our members; we look forward to working more closely with him and bathstore in the future.”

About BQF:

BQF is an independent membership organisation set up to promote, facilitate and reward sustained excellence in the UK. BQF’s membership network helps members who are committed to continuously improving themselves through the use of a unique set of tools and services. Founded in 1993 by Government and leading UK businesses, BQF is Europe's largest corporate membership organisation dedicated to performance improvement.

About Gary Favell:

Gary Favell is the current CEO of bathstore, since his appointment in 2012 he has been responsible for the turnaround of the business helping the high street chain see double-digit growth for the past two years. Prior to his role at bathstore Gary was the CEO at Magnet Kitchens, launching both their retail programme and Trade Division with significant success he was also the Chief Executive of MFI.

About bathstore:

Bathstore is the UK's leading specialist multichannel bathroom retailer employing over 500 people. With 173 stores across the UK and a market leading website it offers a full service bathroom solution, supporting customers from inspiration until installation. Since 2012 it has undergone a transformation through an extensive store refresh programme, a redesigned website plus the introduction of an installation service – using only iKBBI accredited fitters they have a 94% recommendation rate. 

Source : British Quality Foundation Press Release