East Yorkshire shower manufacturer Kohler Mira Ltd has a new managing director.
Emma Foster, who joined the Cheltenham-headquartered firm in a temporary graduate role in 2004, takes the helm. She succeeds Craig Baker, who moves into a new global position within the wider business.
Described as a passionate people leader, she has held various positions in the company’s marketing team, sitting on the board as marketing director for the past five years, leading the division through a period of exponential growth. Products are sold through B&Q and other retailers, with one in four UK homes fitted with a Mira shower.
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She said: “I’m so pleased and privileged to have been asked to lead a business I’ve been a part of for 19 years, and one that I am so passionate about. Over our 100-year history Kohler Mira has been responsible for bringing real innovation to the showering market and I look forward to leading our talented team of people who are so enthusiastic about developing products and services that delight our customers, whilst continuing our commitment to the community through our many initiatives such as apprenticeship programmes, and our important charity and community partnerships.”
As well as the Melton West site, where 80 people are employed, manufacturing also takes place in Cheltenham too. Last year, Kohler Mira officially opened its new multi-million pound national distribution centre in Worcester. The company said at the time the 150,000 sq ft building would allow it to process orders three times faster and better link deliveries across its UK manufacturing sites.
Craig is to deliver the business’s global product innovation programme within its parent company, Kohler Co, as a vice president. Emma will continue to report directly to him, as in his new role he retains overall accountability of the UK Kohler Mira business.
“My three and a half years as managing director have been some of my best at Kohler Mira, so whilst I’m sad to leave the role, it couldn’t be in safer hands than with Emma. I have full confidence that she will drive the business to even more success and I look forward to the next exciting chapter.”
Emma serves on two of Kohler Mira’s executive steering groups, and her promotion is said to be “testament to the company’s strategic ambition to balance internal promotions with external hires”.
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