Building new horizons for the future of roofing: BMI Apprentice of the Year 2024 judges announced

The annual roofing competition sees apprentices from across the industry take on a series of challenges, providing opportunities for them to showcase and develop their skills – from technical and practical capability through to teamwork and business acumen.

The judging panel for each category will have the challenge of deciding which apprentice is worthy of the title of BMI Redland Apprentice of the Year for Pitched Roofing and the BMI Icopal Apprentice of the Year for Flat Roofing.

For the Pitched Roofing category, the judges are Andy King, Managing Director of A.L. King Roofing Ltd, Fiona Russell-Horne, Editor of Builders’ Merchant News and Jamie Gibbs, owner of Retain Ltd.

Overseeing the finalists in the Flat Roofing category, the judges are Hayley Reynolds, Director of Construction at ITECH Roofworks, Kay Rose, CEO of the Institute of Roofing and Anthony Hogan, Technical Director at the Single Ply Roofing Association.

Returning as a judge for this year’s competition, Hayley Reynolds, said: “Being a judge means I get to take the experience I’ve built up over the years and pass it on. It gives the apprentices more of an insight into what they can achieve, and the goals they can reach. The highlight for me is always the more practical challenges. This is when the apprentices are in their own environment, they feel more confident and they’re doing something that they love.”

More than just a contest of technical skills, the two-day event is designed to provide coaching and development so that all the finalists walk away having benefited from the experience. 

Fraser Biles, Commercial Director at BMI, said: “The BMI Apprentice of the Year event celebrates the commitment, enthusiasm, and growing skillsets of new roofers – as well as the continued support of employers, colleges, and training providers that help them on their journeys. The competition is the ideal platform for apprentices to showcase and develop their skills, and we’re thankful for the support from our industry judges!”

This year, two apprentices will earn the title of BMI Apprentice of the Year – one in flat roofing and the other in pitched – alongside a £1,000 cash prize and three years’ worth of training at the BMI Academy.