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28th January 2021

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Two renowned entrepreneurs to share expertise at KBSA annual gathering

The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association has signed up two renowned entrepreneurs for its upcoming annual Conference, AGM and Awards Dinner. Ultimo Lingerie founder, Baroness Michelle Mone OBE (pictured left), is to be keynote speaker at the Conference on Wednesday 25th September while US-born e-commerce specialist Toby Rhodes (pictured below right) will be the special guest and after-dinner speaker at the Retailer Dinner the evening before.

Michelle is best known for taking the Ultimo Lingerie brand from an initial idea and concept into one of the UK's leading lingerie lines for over two decades, before selling the company in 2014. She has won the World Young Business Achiever Award in Florida, alongside Business Woman of the Year at the Corporate Elite Awards in London. She also sat on the Board of Directors for The Prince's Trust for 12 years.

She has gone on to launch a best-selling jewellery line with QVC, an interior styling business, property ventures in Dubai and is about to launch a cryptocurrency business with the co-founder of Apple, Steve Wozniak. Michelle also sits on the board of numerous companies poised for success.

KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert is delighted to have her on board. "We are thrilled that Baroness Michelle Mone will be our keynote speaker on 25th September," he enthuses. "Her success as an entrepreneur and determination to succeed, despite a hard upbringing, are in tune with our theme for 'Staying Ahead', and I am sure delegates will find her no-nonsense, practical and honest business advice, inspirational."

Entrepreneur Toby Rhodes will give a presentation on 'the lost art of conversation', after the retailer dinner. Toby was born in the US but was educated in the UK. He has built successful businesses on both sides of the pond, focusing on the value of personal communication with customers and suppliers alike. An early adopter of ecommerce, he is currently growing a new global opportunity in the sports market.

"We are delighted to have Toby as an after-dinner speaker," says Richard Hibbert. "His talk promises to be engaging and inspiring and I am sure that our guests will appreciate his thoughts on the power of communication, and why it is important in growing a business.

"The exclusive retailer dinner has become a firm favourite with retailers who appreciate the opportunity to network with other business owners and build relationships. With early bookings going well, we anticipate this year's event being the biggest yet."

The 2019 event begins with the retailer dinner on the evening before the conference on Tuesday 24th September. The conference begins on Wednesday 25th September with three workshops which will cover Social Media Solutions, The Customer Journey and The Future Market Place. The AGM, KBSA presentation and Michelle's keynote speech will take place in the afternoon, followed by the KBSA design awards dinner.

There are some enticing early bird offers available until 30th June.

T: 01623 818808
W: www.kbsa.org.uk

17th June 2019