Tony Buffin has been appointed as Non-Executive Chairman, while John Vaughan is to become Senior Adviser to the group.

Buffin will Chair the Highbourne Group Board and will be a key support to Dave Evans, CEO Highbourne Group, the Senior Leadership Team and our owners. He will share his knowledge and expertise gained from holding senior level positions in organisations including the Coles Group in Australia, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Travis Perkins, and Kingfisher.

Vaughan is vastly experienced across the plumbing and heating sector, having held senior leadership roles in BSS, Travis Perkins, Wolseley, and latterly been CEO of Adey before helping complete the sale of the business to Polypipe.

Dave Evans, CEO Highbourne Group, stated: “This is great news and I and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team are very pleased to welcome Tony to our new business!

“Tony’s extensive retail skills, particularly those gained in the home improvement and digital sectors, will be a huge benefit to our business as we push forwards with our aggressive growth plans. 

“Everyone in the Highbourne Group look forward to working with Tony and benefiting from his expertise over the coming months and years.”

“John will be working alongside the Highbourne Group board and as part of my leadership team. John will support all parts of the business in particular Gary Venn, Steve Smith, Maxine Frost and Dave Griggs' teams to assist us in operationalising our key strategic initiatives with customers and suppliers. 

“I look forward to John sharing his expertise at such an exciting time for our business as we drive forward with our growth plans as an independent business.”

The Highbourne Group emerge from the sale of Travis Perkins' Plumbing and Heating businesses to HIG Captial. The group includes City Plumbing and PTS, alongside specialist online outlets such as The Underfloor Heating Store, Direct Heating Spares, Plumbnation, and National Shower Spares.