New chief executive named for Victorian Plumbing

The chief executive of Leyland-based online bathroom retailer Victorian Plumbing is to stand down at the end of March.

Mark Radcliffe founded the business in 2000 and has grown the business into the UK's leading bathroom retailer.

Following a thorough review of succession options, the nomination committee concluded that the group's managing director Stephnie Judge was the natural choice to succeed Mark.

Stephnie has been appointed to the board to succeed Mark as chief executive with effect from 1 April 2026.

Mark will remain on the board as non-executive founder director.

The news came as part of announcement by the Victorian Plumbing board that revenues for the first 21 weeks of 2026 increased by nine per cent, driven by order volume growth. 

Mark and Stephnie will continue to work closely together to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles.

Philip Bowcock, chair of Victorian Plumbing Group, said: "I am delighted that Stephnie has agreed to step up as chief executive of Victorian Plumbing.

"Her diligent approach to the delivery of the group’s strategic initiatives stands us in very good stead as we look to the next phase of growth.

"I have worked closely with Stephnie since becoming chair and I share Mark’s confidence in her excellent leadership credentials.

"I have no doubt that she is the right person to lead Victorian Plumbing through the next chapter and beyond.

“The Board and the group will continue to benefit from Mark’s deep knowledge of the company he has built, the marketing and technology that drives it and the wider retail environment in his founder director role.

"I look forward to working with him and Stephnie in their new roles.”

Mark Radcliffe, chief executive, said: “Victorian Plumbing has been on an amazing journey in the 25 years since I founded it and I feel that now is the right time to hand over the reins.

"Stephnie is the right person to guide Victorian Plumbing through the next phase of growth and take advantage of the significant opportunities that lie ahead.

“I have every confidence that Victorian Plumbing will continue to go from strength to strength and I look forward to my new Founder Director role.”

Stephnie Judge, chief executive designate, said: “I am honoured and excited to take over from Mark as chief executive of Victorian Plumbing, a company that he started from his parents’ garden shed over two and a half decades ago.

"I am confident that the strategy we have put in place together is the right one, and I look forward to working with the executive leadership team and Mark in his new Founder Director role as we continue to win market share while delivering excellent value and choice for our customers.”

Stephnie joined Victorian Plumbing in 2013 and, following a number of promotions, was appointed Group managing directorMD in 2020.

She has worked closely with Mark on all operational and commercial aspects of the business and has played a key role in the successful development and execution of the group’s strategy.

Her leadership has been instrumental in driving the group’s growth and delivering key strategic initiatives, including: the recent warehouse transformation, the acquisition of Victoria Plum, numerous technology and customer proposition improvements, and the group’s entry into the homewares market through the reimagined MFI brand.

Stephnie also played a role in the Victorian Plumbing's acquisition of Sovereign Transport Services  and Sovereign Commercials (together “Sovereign”).

Sovereign is a transportation services business based in Merseyside, providing haulage services to the Group and to a small number of other goods-based businesses in the North of England.

The acquisition provides the group with increased control over customer fulfilment and an opportunity to improve other areas of transportation over the medium term.

The purchase price (net of cash acquired) of £3.4m is subject to adjustments for normalised working capital and represents c.5x Sovereign’s estimated annual adjusted EBITDA.