Bathroom Association appoints Daphne Doody-Green as new chief executive amid strategic evolution
The Bathroom Association is set to experience a significant leadership transition this September as Chief Executive Tom Reynolds prepares to step down after six years at the organisation’s helm. Reynolds, who joined the trade body in 2019 when it was still known as the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), leaves a legacy marked by strategic transformation and increased industry influence. Under his stewardship, the Association navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, responded adeptly to critical regulatory shifts, and undertook a comprehensive rebranding in June to better reflect its broadened mission and diverse membership base.
Reynolds’ tenure saw the Association achieve meaningful milestones. Noteworthy among these was the orchestration of the Windsor Summit, which culminated in the Windsor Declaration—a landmark global agreement among leading bathroom manufacturers aimed at intensifying efforts to combat water scarcity and enhance hygiene practices worldwide. This initiative bolstered the Association’s role not only as an industry leader but also as a key player in sustainability dialogues. Furthermore, the Association’s growing impact was formally recognised when it secured the prestigious title of UK Trade Association of the Year, signalling its heightened stature across government, industry, and societal sectors.
Succeeding Reynolds from 1 September will be Daphne Doody-Green, bringing over two decades of leadership experience from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), a global professional body for HR with 160,000 members. In her recent role as UK Market Director at CIPD, Doody-Green spearheaded a major transformation programme focused on modernising member engagement and driving organisational growth. Her regional leadership experience as Head of CIPD in Northern England has involved active representation on multiple boards and advisory forums, influencing policymaking and advocating for improved working practices. At the Bathroom Association, her strategic priorities will include expanding influence throughout the supply chain and deepening partnerships across government and industry, ensuring the Association continues to adapt in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
To mark this leadership handover, Reynolds and Doody-Green will present the Association’s flagship event, the Connect Conference, held from 16 to 17 September at the Grand Hotel in Birmingham. This event is expected to underscore the Association’s commitment to fostering collaboration and driving forward its modernised vision.
In reflecting on his departure, Reynolds described his time leading the Bathroom Association as “the privilege of my career,” highlighting both the dedicated members and passionate team he has had the opportunity to work with. He expressed confidence in Doody-Green’s ability to elevate the organisation further, given her dynamism and extensive experience. Meanwhile, Doody-Green emphasised the critical role the Association plays in the built environment and sustainability sectors, noting the importance of making bathrooms work better for people and the planet. Craig Baker, President of the Bathroom Association, acknowledged Reynolds’ transformative leadership, praising the shift towards an organisation focused on insight, influence, and impact, while also welcoming Doody-Green’s strategic vision to drive future success.
This transition reflects broader trends within trade bodies serving the built environment and associated industries, which are increasingly prioritising sustainability agendas and the cultivation of robust stakeholder relationships. The Windsor Summit’s focus on water scarcity aligns with a growing global recognition of resource constraints and the urgent need for industry-led solutions. Moreover, Doody-Green’s background in human resources and member engagement underscores a shift towards member-centric, inclusive approaches in trade association leadership, essential for addressing complex industry challenges in an evolving economic and regulatory landscape.
The choice of Birmingham’s Grand Hotel for the upcoming Connect Conference aligns with the Association’s intent to position itself centrally within the UK’s commercial heart, facilitating greater accessibility and engagement among its diverse stakeholder network. The event is anticipated to continue the momentum built under Reynolds while signalling the dawn of Daphne Doody-Green’s tenure, marked by an emphasis on growth, influence, and sustainable development within the bathroom sector.
Overall, this leadership change at the Bathroom Association illustrates a maturing trade body that is increasingly influential in shaping industry standards and policies, keenly attuned to environmental imperatives, and committed to providing tangible value and representation for its expanding membership base.