Following months of planning, the launch in October 2024 and the first wave of auditing with participating retailers, the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is delighted to announce the first group of retailers to be awarded Accredited Installation Methods (AiM) certification, the new and comprehensive industry standard for fitted interiors.
At an historic ceremony held at Portcullis House on the Parliamentary Estate today, independent kitchen and bathroom retailers Christian Andrews Interiors (Scotland) and Signature Projects, and national home improvement brand Wickes all received their formal certification, presented to them by BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters and the institute’s Honorary Patron, Calvin Bailey MBE MP.
All three retailers were recognised for their robust approach to fitted interiors installation, having met criteria designed to support local, regional and national retailers in the delivery of a risk reduced and professional installation service to their customers.
AiM launched last year in order to establish a recognised industry standard and to accompany supportive measures delivered by the UK’s only institute dedicated to KBB installation, that reduces risk, demonstrates credibility and provides quality assurance to all stakeholders involved in the KBB installation process. In addition to providing consumers with peace of mind, which is usually associated with accreditation, this ground-breaking certification aims to provide a shining beacon for professional installers who may be interested in working with ‘installer-friendly’ retailers and main contractors.
BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters commented ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be in a position to bring AiM to this amazing industry and I’m so pleased that we have three contrasting businesses in terms of size, who become the first to receive certification. To be clear, AiM is very much for businesses of all sizes, whether you’re an independent showroom such as Christian Andrews and Paragon Designs, or indeed a national business with hundreds of showrooms and thousands of installers, like Wickes. The purpose of AiM is to help businesses to meet and maintain processes and procedures that our industry can be proud of, helping to level the playing field on the subject of fitted interior installation.
Ian Cloggie of Christian Andrews Interiors commented “We are incredibly proud to be one of the first companies to achieve BiKBBI’s AiM Accreditation which recognises our commitment to excellence as both a KBB retailer and an installation business.
This milestone reflects not only the hard work and dedication of our team but also reinforces our responsibility to uphold the highest standards within our industry – from design innovation and customer care right through to our installation methods and practices. In an ever-evolving market, initiatives like AIM provide retailers like us with a clear framework for growth and continuous improvement. This achievement marks a significant step forward for our business, and we’re excited to continue leading by example.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the BiKBBI team for all of their hard work in bringing this scheme to fruition. We look forward to being part of an initiative that will help shape the future of the KBB industry for years to come!”
Sarah Taitt, Chief Property & Services Officer at Wickes, said: “We’re really proud to be the first national retailer to achieve AiM accreditation. At Wickes, we’ve always believed in doing things properly, and working with BiKBBI, this accreditation shows how we’re giving both customers and installers confidence in the work we do. It reflects the proactive approach we take to raise standards in installation and deliver a service our customers can rely on.”
Signature Projects Director, Tom Baldwin commented: “We’re proud to be one of the first businesses to be awarded AiM certification and thank BiKBBI for their continued efforts to raise standards. It’s exciting for us to be part of this long overdue change to an industry that desperately needs positive change and to attract new talent. We hope that the work BiKBBI is investing will be the start of the transformation into KBB installation being seen as both a professional industry and a career to aspire to.”
BiKBBI is actively working with a growing number of retailers through the accreditation process, with further awards expected over the coming months.
BiKBBI has now opened up the initiative to any retailer wishing to obtain more information about AiM and cordially invites initial interest to be directed to www.bikbbi.org.uk/aim or by calling the team on 01375 213 199.
