A confident trading update and a change of management sets the tone for the BSS Group.

A trading update from the BSS Group shows that it is anticipating a sales and trading performance slightly above current market expectations for the year ending March 31.

The group, which distributes heating, plumbing and pipeline equipment, will announce its preliminary results for the year on May 23.

In a separate statement, the group has also announced a change in management, with Gavin Stark, currently managing director of PTS, appointed group chief operating office, with effect from June 13.

In the operating divisions, Keith Lowe, managing director of BSS Industrial, and Brian Gray, managing director of F&P Wholesale, will both retire at the AGM in July. They will be succeeded by Frank Elkins, and Kelvin Stevens respectively, who are both currently commercial directors in the two divisions.