Celebrating 100 Years of The Forbes Group

This week marked a truly special moment in our history as The Forbes Group proudly celebrated its centenary year with an official plaque unveiling ceremony attended by colleagues, customers, partners and distinguished guests.

We were honoured to welcome the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Councillor Rich Michalowski, accompanied by his assistant Paul Danbury, for the Mayor’s final official engagement before the conclusion of his term. During the event, the Mayor officially unveiled our commemorative centenary plaque, marking 100 years of The Forbes Group.

Founded in 1926, Forbes has grown from a family business into a nationally recognised organisation serving both commercial and consumer markets across the UK -  while proudly remaining family-owned throughout our 100-year journey.

Today, The Forbes Group operates through two key pillars of the business. Forbes Professional delivers specialist B2B solutions nationwide, supplying and supporting laundry and warewashing appliances, alongside TV, AV and digital signage solutions, across sectors including hospitality, care homes, healthcare, education and essential services.

Alongside this, Forbes Rentals serves consumers across the UK through a subscription-based rental model for home and electrical appliances, providing flexible access to trusted products backed by award-winning service and support.

The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the generations of leadership that have shaped the company over the decades. Hannah Forbes, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy, paid tribute to founder Frederick Donald Forbes, as well as her late uncle Malcolm Forbes and father Stuart Forbes, who led the business together for decades of growth, transformation and success. Stuart Forbes continues to serve as Chairman of The Forbes Group today.

Speaking during the ceremony, Hannah Forbes said:

“This plaque represents a century of community, commitment -  and relationships that have stood the test of time.”

A special thank you was also given to CEO Kevin Herring, the board members and management teams, alongside the many dedicated employees whose loyalty and expertise continue to drive the business forward.

The event highlighted the remarkable commitment of Forbes employees over the years, with more than 37 members of staff having served the company for over 30 years. Long-serving employee John Swanson is celebrating an incredible 58 years with the business this year -  a testament to the culture and values that continue to define The Forbes Group.

We are also incredibly grateful to our longstanding customers and partners, many of whom have supported Forbes generation after generation. Their loyalty and trust remain central to our continued success.

As we celebrate this centenary milestone, we look ahead with pride, continuing to invest in innovation, exceptional service and long-term partnerships for the future.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story over the last 100 years.