Imperial Bathrooms has welcomed Sonia Shaw as its new Financial Director, and Paul Atherton as its Key Accounts & Contracts Manager.

Shaw brings over 20 years of financial experience to the company, spanning both the manufacturing and distribution industries. She previously worked as Financial Director for a materials manufacturer in the West Midlands for six years, where she managed the financial team and would oversee budgets having worked as the company’s Financial Controller eight years prior.

This appointment comes at a time of transition for Imperial Bathrooms, recently undergoing a period of investment to streamline the business and refine its workforce to include experts in their respective fields.

Shaw will be supporting the newly appointed Management Team in order to help deliver its corporate renewal plan that aims to execute strategic alignment and operational change for the better.

Her company responsibilities will include directing financial planning and strategy, analysing financial performance, motivating teams to deliver improved processes, and reviewing departmental budgets.

Shaw said: “I am thrilled to join a company with such a rich brand history like Imperial Bathrooms and given this exciting growth period, I look forward to administer new financial opportunities for this quintessentially British company.

“I have been working hard to help both brand and business deliver their clear vision for success. These are very challenging times for many, but with the right team and a focussed and proactive approach, I’m confident we will thrive and ultimately, strengthen the brand even more.”

Atherton joins the Management Team as Key Accounts & Contracts Manager, having spent eight years as National Account Manager for Lecico Bathrooms and following that, two years as Category Manager for a kitchen and bathroom company.

His new role at Imperial Bathrooms will capitalise on his strong communication skills and by virtue, allowing Atherton to focus on negotiating and managing new and existing contracts, as well as developing and putting into effect new procedures and maintaining contracts.

Atherton explained: “I am honoured to be joining Imperial Bathrooms and very much looking forward to working with the team to support the brand, its future growth and market evolution.

“Our products are second to none and the company’s commitment to maximising opportunities for the customer only confirms my decision that now is the right time to accept my new position.”

James Stevenson, Creative Director at Imperial Bathrooms, said of the appointments: “I am delighted to welcome Sonia and Paul to Imperial Bathrooms, it marks a positive transition-period for the company as we move in to the next phase of our growth and development.

“We’re currently streamlining the business, with a keen focus on investing in people, so we can continue to progress and take our business to the next level. Making sure we have the right people in the right places is fundamental and the recent market-disruption has further impressed this point of view and I have every faith that Sonia and Paul will become instrumental in our future successes.”

Graham Bucktrout, Managing Director at Imperial Bathrooms, added: “With Sonia’s wealth of experience in financial strategy, clear leadership and communication skills, and her ability to motivate people and manage teams, I have no doubt she will be a great asset to the business.

“That, coupled with Paul’s ability to focus on the selling, prioritising accounts and identifying key customers is how I know we’re making great strides towards achieving our future goals and business plans in 2021 onwards.”