Leading West Yorkshire manufacturer and distributor, The Roxor Group has appointed a new director of E-commerce & AI as the business invests in strengthening its digital infrastructure, making it easier for trade customers to work across its growing brand portfolio.

Gavin Smith has been promoted into the newly created senior role, bringing extensive e-commerce, digital trading and performance marketing experience from previous roles in major household retail.

Having joined The Roxor Group in October 2023 as head of ecommerce, Smith will now lead the business’ strategy across product information, digital assets and order intake, bringing ecommerce and applied AI together under one cohesive remit.

The appointment reflects The Roxor Group’s continued investment in digital capability and future-facing ways of working, as product data, imagery and ordering processes become pivotal points of difference across the bathroom and interiors sector.

In his new role, Smith will initially focus on improving the consistency and availability of product information across The Roxor Group’s brands and channels, giving retailers, merchants, installers and specifiers clearer access to the technical and commercial content required to order and sell products with confidence.

Smith will also lead on strengthening the management of digital assets, including product imagery and supporting materials, ensuring brand and product content is organised effectively across the business and its customer channels. Additionally, he will be working alongside the sales team, with a focus on simplifying how customer orders are received and processed across the business.

Discussing his appointment, Gavin Smith said: “It’s a really exciting time to be taking on this new role. The Roxor Group has a brilliant portfolio of brands and an ambition to keep evolving, so the focus now is making sure our e-commerce, data and digital systems can support the next stage of our growth.

“My background is in ecommerce, trading and customer acquisition, so I’ve seen first-hand how much digital experience influences the way customers engage with a business. In the trade market, that means removing friction, improving access to the right information and making every interaction work harder.”

“In today’s world, AI is part of that, but it has to have a clear and genuinely useful purpose. It’s not about adopting technology for the sake of it; it’s applying it where it can make a real difference for our customers and to the way we work. It’s a role I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into.”

Smith began his career agency-side, holding senior roles at Epiphany Search and Summit Media, working with major retail clients including Pets at Home, JD Sports and Lloyds Pharmacy.

He later moved in-house as group head of Search at JD Sports Fashion, before spending eight years at Buy It Direct. During that time, his remit expanded from acquisition into trading, conversion and performance marketing, eventually becoming head of trading and customer acquisition.

A spokesperson for The Roxor Group said: “Gavin has already brought a wealth of digital experience to the business, and this new Director of Ecommerce & AI role gives him the remit to apply that expertise where it can make the biggest difference to both our customers and our internal teams.”

Tissino Bathrooms has appointed Neil Swallow as regional sales manager for North and East London, strengthening its sales structure in the South as the business continues to invest in closer, more responsive support for its network of independent retailers and specification-led customers.

Swallow joins Tissino with more than 30 years’ experience in the bathroom industry. His experience includes account management and national sales management roles, as well as six years running his own showroom, giving him first-hand insight into the day-to-day realities, opportunities and pressures faced by bathroom retailers.

Prior to joining Tissino, Swalllow worked with a number of leading bathroom brands, including RAK Ceramics, where he supported retailers across the South of England. He is a familiar and respected name within the industry, with a strong track record of building long-term customer relationships and providing practical, commercially aware support.

The appointment forms part of Tissino’s wider growth plans and reflects the company’s continued investment in its regional sales presence. The newly created role will allow Tissino to offer more focused support across London. 

Commenting on the appointment, Frazer Lewis, sales director at Tissino, said: “Neil brings a depth of industry experience that is hugely valuable to our customers and to the wider Tissino team. Having worked across sales, retail and showroom ownership, he understands the bathroom industry from several angles, which means he can offer support that is informed, relevant and genuinely useful to our retail partners.

“London is an important area for Tissino and, as our customer base continues to grow, it is vital that we have the right people in place to support retailers closely and consistently. By creating this new role, we are giving both Neil and our wider sales team the time and regional focus needed to build stronger relationships, respond more effectively and help customers make the most of the opportunities in their local markets.”

Neil Swallow added: “Tissino is a business with a clear commitment to its customers, and that was a major part of what attracted me to the role. Having spent many years working with retailers, and having run my own showroom, I know how important it is to have reliable support from the brands you work with. My focus will be on building strong relationships across North and East London, understanding what customers need from us and helping them grow with the right products, service and day-to-day support.”

The appointment underlines Tissino’s continued commitment to strengthening its sales team as demand grows for dependable, well-designed bathroom products backed by knowledgeable regional expertise.