Shower manufacturer Aqualisa has appointed Mat Norris as chief executive officer.

As part of a planned succession, he will replace Colin Sykes who has held the position since 2018.

Sykes will remain as a non-executive director and strategic advisor to the business until December, focusing on the company’s international expansion, at which point he will semi-retire and focus on other non-executive roles.

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With an extensive career in the manufacturing and engineering sectors, Norris brings a wealth of experience from leadership roles at organisations including Ford Motor Company, Philips and most recently, ventilation firm Titon Holdings, where he was UK CEO.

He will work with Aqualisa chairman Kevin Sargeant and lead an eight-strong senior management team which has been recruited over the last three years as part of the company’s transformation.

Norris will spearhead Aqualisa’s product expansion and innovation strategy and will continue the company’s focus on the smart bathroom sector.

In addition, the company plans to extend its portfolio to create a premium, channel-exclusive brassware brand, adding to Aqualisa and Gainsborough.

As part of the company’s ‘Aqualisa H2.0’ strategy, this focus will accelerate a new environmental, social and corporate governance programme.

Speaking about his appointment, Mat Norris said: “Aqualisa has a strong heritage of innovating shower technologies, and the team clearly takes great pride in ensuring our customers enjoy the ultimate showering experience.

“I am thrilled to be joining our 260 dedicated team members at such a pivotal chapter in the organisation’s history, and I look forward to working with the outstanding management team that Colin has established at Aqualisa.

“My mission is to accelerate our innovation strategy, while ensuring operational excellence and the agility to meet our long-term growth, profitability and sustainability objectives.

“I am also eager to continue to build upon the valued relationships we have developed with our loyal customer, client and installer network in the UK, and internationally.”

Chairman of Aqualisa Kevin Sargeant commented: “Mat’s vast expertise from within the manufacturing and technical engineering industries, combined with his significant leadership track record and visionary approach, positions him perfectly to accelerate Aqualisa to the next level in its journey of growth.”

He added: “I would like to thank Colin Sykes for his significant contribution to the business over the last five years, and for his ongoing commitment and support through this period of transition.”