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Meet the winners of BMI Apprentice of the Year 2024
Bringing together 18 roofing apprentices from across the country, the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition took place over 24th and 25th July, providing the perfect platform for finalists to showcase their skills and build new horizons for their careers.
The BMI Apprentice of the Year competition aims to shine a light on the very best talent coming into the industry, as well as recognising the employers and training colleges that are supporting them. Through a series of tasks, each judged by experienced professionals from across the roofing sector, the apprentices have the opportunity to put their learnings into practice, as well as demonstrate their knowledge and passion for the craft.
Through the competition, BMI is giving apprenticeships – and everybody involved in making them a success – the recognition they deserve for attracting people to jobs in roofing and strengthening the industry for the future.
This year – alongside the recognition of being crowned BMI Apprentice of the Year – the winners received a £1,000 cash prize and access to training courses through the BMI Academy for three years.
Meet the winners
BMI Redland Apprentice of the Year 2024 in Pitched Roofing
In the Pitched Roofing category, Leah Stewart – an apprentice with Roof & Fibre and Fife College – triumphed in the competition to earn the title of BMI Redland Apprentice of the Year.
Leah said:
“I was working in the office for 4 years but I really just wanted to get out on site. I started by going out, looking at and pricing jobs, and from there I applied to college. Since then I’ve completed a Master Roofer’s Lead Welding and Bossing course and I’m also starting an HNC in Quantity Surveying. I’m hoping to pull together all of this and work my way up in the industry for my future and for my kids. I found the competition really amazing and it's going to help me grow.”
BMI Icopal Apprentice of the Year 2024 for Flat Roofing
In the Flat Roofing category, Robbie Gosden of Taylor Roofs and the National Construction College earned the top spot as BMI Icopal Apprentice of the Year.
Speaking of his win, Robbie said:
“I’m really pleased to have won. Everyone was at such a high standard I didn’t know what to expect. My boss, Jamie, has given me a real passion for quality and encouraged me to view each day as a learning opportunity and a chance to set myself up for a bright future within the construction industry.”
Highly Commended
Alongside the winners of this year’s competition, two apprentices received the highly commended award from the judges, reflecting the high standard of apprentices in this year’s final.
Taking home the Highly Commended awards were:
Samuel Jinks of Dalton Roofing and Leeds College of Building for the pitched category
Tommy Lee McGee of Sussex Asphalte and Simian for the flat category
The inside view of Apprentice of the Year 2024
The standard of skill, ambition and passion on display at BMI Apprentice of the Year 2024 made for one of the most competitive events in the competition’s history. The high calibre of apprentices taking part is testament both to their own commitment, but also the support of their employers and training providers.
Fraser Biles, Commercial Director at BMI, said: “We were blown away by the standard on show at this year’s competition, as well as the passion and enthusiasm shown for our industry. Every finalist gave it their all across every stage of the competition and the judges had a tough job to whittle the candidates down to find this year’s winners.
“The theme of this year’s competition was ‘building new horizons’ and I can confidently say that every one of these apprentices has a bright future ahead of them. Leah and Robbie stood out in particular. Not only did they clearly demonstrate the skills they’ve learned in their roofing journeys so far, but it was clear to see their passion and eagerness to learn more at every opportunity.
“A huge congratulations to our 2024 Apprentices of the Year, and all the finalists who took part. We can’t wait to see where their careers take them!”
Congratulations to all our finalists
Finalists in the Flat Roofing Category
Robbie Gosden of the National Construction College and Taylor Roofs
Jack Ranger of Simian and Ashley Roofs
Tommy Lee McGee of Simian and Sussex Asphalte
Leigh Bourne of Simian and ARC Group
Matthew Nichols of Simian and Midland Roofing
Corran Smith of Juniper Training and Rio Asphalte
Jake Jones of Langley and Lynx Waterproofing
Carter Miller of Langley and Amber Construction
Finalists in the Pitched Roofing Category
Evan Adams of South Devon College and Stormforce
Tadhg Harries of South West Roofing Training and RSM Roofing
Mhairi Horne of Fife College and Roof and Fibre
Samuel Jinks of Leeds College of Building and Dalton Roofing
Joe Kemp of Eastern Region Roof Training and Iceni Roofing
Cameron Larcombe of Newcastle College and Gentoo
Nathan McKenzie of South Lanarkshire College and C3 Scotland Ltd
Leah Stewart of Fife College and Roof and Fibre
Jake White of Eastern Region Roof Training and Scotland & Lait Roofing
Connor Wilson of Optimum Skills and Alexander Sinclair
And a thank you to our judges...
And a thank you to our judges...
With many thanks to our panels of industry judges who gave their time to assess the apprentices but also to share their knowledge, experience and expertise.
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: 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.
