PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2025 6 News Review


Plumbers making the cut for top trade accolade


Beating off stiff competition, 14 talented plumbing and heating engineers have secured their semi- final places in Screwfix’s search for the UK’s Top Tradesperson, now in its 16th year. The semi-final stage will see the


following plumbing and heating engineers compete against the other tradespeople, presenting their skills and story to judges from Screwfix (pictured left to right): Row 1: Dan Tempest from


Knottingley, Aaron Denton from Redhill, Ella Lewis from Chichester, Huw Jenkins from Poole and Dean Jones from Northop. Row 2: Paul Williams from Ammanford, Andrew Mayar


Installers’ biggest


frustrations


Picky customers, poor DIY attempts and fellow tradespeople are the top frustrations for bathroom installers. In interviews with bathroom specialist nuielux, installers pointed to indecision, unrealistic expectations and cost-cutting as key issues. Many also criticised customers


‘buying wrong or incomplete parts’, and ‘not reading the quote’, leading to issues far into a project. But it isn’t just customers who can cause headaches – builders came in second. Installers faulted fellow tradespeople, with some lacking attention to detail when it comes to building work. Fitting issues were another common challenge, particularly when working with small and awkward spaces. One installer stated overly complex products are challenging but they become a real issue when a customer wants complex products in complex spaces. Many cited DIY disasters as a top frustration, with homeowners


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from Hampton, Luke Thomson from Castleford and Shaun Bone from Milton Keynes. Row 3: Shabaz Iqbal from Blackburn, Daniel Davies from Lampeter, Darryl White from Ayr, Syed Uddin from London and Brandon Wright from Jedburgh The semi-finalists will be whittled down to just ten before advancing to the national final at Screwfix Live in September (see page 10). After being put through their paces by a panel of industry experts, one winner will be crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2025 and take home a £20,000/€20,000 trade bundle of tools, tech and training.


NEWS IN BRIEF


◼ BSRIA has successfully extended its UKAS-accredited testing capabilities to include the EN 14825:2022 standard following a comprehensive ISO 17025 audit by the UK’s National Accreditation Service, re-enforcing its reputation as a trusted specialist for heat pump and air conditioner testing.


This year’s successful winner


will join the likes of the current Top Tradesperson, plumber Mohammed Rahman, and 2023 winner Astrid Arnold in the growing Screwfix Hall of Fame. Jack Wallace, Screwfix marketing


director, says: “Our search for the UK Top Tradesperson continues to highlight the exceptional talent within the trade industry and I wish all semi-finalists the best of luck.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/925/04


Virtual showroom launches


AKW has launched a virtual showroom showcasing eight fully fitted bathrooms featuring its products. Designed for installers, specifiers and end users, the online tool allows users to explore dementia- friendly, retirement, care and social housing bathroom options. Interactive features include product specifications, videos and customisable wall colours. The showroom complements AKW’s physical locations in Droitwich Spa and Middlewich, providing a remote option for those unable to visit while demonstrating how the solutions function in real-life settings. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/925/05


In memoriam


trying to take on their own bathroom projects in the hope of saving money, only to call in a professional when things go wrong. Finally, several noted the ongoing problem of shoddy previous work. Installers regularly find themselves fixing the mistakes of cowboy tradesmen, from missing components and bad sealant jobs to uneven flooring, making their job a challenge before they have even begun.


The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has announced the death of “hugely popular and highly respected” former president Robert (Rab) Fletcher at the age of 62 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Rab led the association in 2022/23


and worked nearly 30 years with Fife Council Building Services, most recently as mechanical services team manager. Fletcher also chaired BESA Scotland and co-founded the BESA Local Authority Forum. Despite his accomplishments in the industry, Rab always modestly described himself as “a time served plumber”. “Rab was a delightful man who worked extremely hard on behalf of our members during a difficult period for the industry,” says BESA CEO David Frise. “Everyone who met Rab is mourning his loss and we will all miss his cheerful personality and wise council.”


◼ Hydronic solut ions supplier Altecnic has earned the prestigious RoSPA Gold Award, recognising its strong safety culture and international commitment to protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of employees, clients and contractors.


◼ To support the heating and hot water industry’s future, Baxi has expanded its three-year partnership with Primary Engineer, funded by the BDR Thermea Foundation. The initiative will engage 60 schools, 3,000 pupils, and 100 teachers across Warwick and Preston, combining hands-on STEM projects with mentoring, competitions and career inspiration.


◼ BSI has conferred ISO 14001 accreditation on FireAngel, demonstrating its environmental commitment. The certification recognises its Environmental Management System, supporting sustain- ability,


legal compliance,


waste reduction, and resource efficiency, while assuring customers of environmentally conscious practices aligned with ESG.


◼ United Capital Group has sold Saltire Facilities Management to Daikin Industries after five years of record growth, with Saltire securing £220m in contracts and employing 300 staff across Scotland and the Midlands.


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