Leon Willis, sales development manager at British Ceramic Tile talks about trends, target audience, and plans for 2018

What are the trends in ceramics in this region?
Ceramic tiles have evolved and become increasingly trend-led, tapping into key interior design movements. Texture is one trend that is making an impact within the Middle East, with tactile surfaces proving to be a popular choice. Advancements in manufacturing techniques are transforming how ceramic tiles look and feel, and tiles now feature raised surfaces in a range of different finishes for an unmistakable touch me quality.

Who are your end users?
Over the past few years we’ve been supplying our design-led tile collections to interior designers and architects for a range of commercial projects, as well as house build developments. We are also seeing an increasing appetite from design-hungry consumers to buy our tile collections through retail partners.

Leon Willis

What are your new launches this year?
The standout new launch for this year is our new Impression Glass collection. Bringing something completely new to the Middle Eastern market, the range is guaranteed to make a statement in any interior scheme. Impression is made up of six glass structures including the diamond, cube, wave and hive designs, and is available in twelve stunning colour-ways and size formats, all designed and made in the UK using the finest quality english glass.

What is your business strategy for 2018?
Our focus is on maximising exposure of our designer ranges in the Middle East. Our collaborations with iconic UK brands such as Ted Baker and Laura Ashley offer the best of British design to suit a wide range of tastes and styles that offer classic chic through to striking patterns that bring the latest fashion trends to interiors. We are exploring the potential of opening a showroom in Dubai, alongside building a strong local distribution network to ensure customers can see our products first hand.