New president commits to protecting the roofing industry, maintaining high standards and building career opportunities.

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has welcomed Andy Rowlands as its new president, succeeding Colin McCorquodale following the Federation's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Friday 30 October 2026 in Glasgow.

The handover was formally marked at the Scottish Roofing Awards, where the ceremonial chain of office was exchanged in front of NFRC members and industry representatives.

Andy, director of Rowlands Roofing Ltd, brings over 40 years of industry experience. A recognised Master Craftsman and previous winner of the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) International Roof of the Year Award, he has served on the NFRC Board since 2018.

He is a former chair of the NFRC South West Regional Committee, deputy chair of the NFRC Heritage Committee and represents NFRC on the IFD Pitched Roofing and Training Commissions.

Reflecting on two years of progress

Colin steps down following a two-year presidency during which NFRC has made significant progress in strengthening its governance, enhancing member benefits and increasing engagement across its regions.

Among the key achievements during Colin's presidency has been a comprehensive governance review, including revised regional terms of reference, the establishment of a Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and changes to strengthen regional leadership arrangements.

A personal highlight has been his fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, with £60,000 raised through the generosity of NFRC Members and industry colleagues.

Reflecting on his presidency, Colin said, "I am delighted that we now have a really cohesive board. I know that, with Andy, the presidency is in safe hands and I know he will fulfil the role of president with great diligence."

Protecting the industry, maintaining standards and developing skills

Addressing members at the Scottish Roofing Awards, Andy outlined three priorities for his two-year presidency: protecting the roofing industry, maintaining high standards and building career opportunities.

Drawing on his experience in contracting and hands-on training, Andy pledged to ensure the practical challenges facing roofing businesses remain central to NFRC's work.

Speaking about his appointment, Andy said, "Standing here before you today as the new president of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors is, without a doubt, the proudest moment of my working life."

Recognising the importance of developing the next generation, Andy added, "We cannot protect our future without investing heavily in the next generation. I look forward to working alongside all of you over the next two years to make our industry stronger, safer and more prosperous."

As is traditional for incoming presidents, Andy's term in the role means that NFRC will support his nominated charity, The Lighthouse Charity. The charity is the only one in the UK and Ireland dedicated to providing free, confidential emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families.

Andy takes over the presidency from Colin McCorquodale, director at  Archibald McCorquodale & Son Ltd, who will now serve an additional two years on the board as immediate past president.

Sharon Llewellyn, director at JPR Roofing and Flooring Ltd was elected as vice president.

By Emma Peterson.

Ruth Scarrott shares how supportive workplaces and clear career pathways can help the roofing industry attract, develop and retain the next generation.

Whether you call it a skill shortage, a labour gap or something else, the truth is the same – the roofing trade needs more workers. Our leaders and experts are reaching retirement age and there are simply not enough young professionals coming into the field for all the work there is to do. To learn a bit about how we can help encourage the next generation to join the roofing industry, Megan Ellsworth hosted Ruth Scarrott, the head of careers at National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.

This is a topic that Ruth has been working on a lot lately, as NFRC recently released a new campaign centred on career development, called "Climbing the Ladder." In this campaign, Ruth and NFRC’s team highlight some of the ways that contractors can take to encourage people to enter the roofing trade.

The first step contractors can take is making sure their operations are set up to properly support new talent. That doesn’t mean you let people walk over you or don’t challenge them, it means that you meet them where they are and help them grow. As Ruth put it, “Everyone in their career at some point has had that supportive manager or colleague that's really helped them grow and develop their own skill set. Having a culture that fosters that support helps people feel a lot more positive about where they’re at.” And that feeling of belonging early on in an apprenticeship or job can be the game changer when it comes to whether someone starts a career in roofing.

And it’s important to make sure you extend this supportive culture and mindset to all your employees, not just the newest hires. Ruth explained:

We’ve heard from a lot of members that there’s a friction point when apprenticeships end. And the reason is that, while in apprenticeship, people have a very clear structured training pathway that they're completing and working really hard to do so with your support. Once that comes to an end, the structure of that apprenticeship goes, but their aspiration to develop and progress does not change.

And if that aspiration doesn’t have a direction, it often leads to burnout and people leaving the field. What contractors can do to avoid that and retain their employees is make sure that they aren't just supporting the new hires learning the ropes but also supporting their experienced team in continuing to learn and develop their skills.

By doing this, you are not only keeping your employees engaged and passionate about their work, but you are also helping them build a clear future for themselves. And by helping people see their future in roofing, contractors can help the industry overcome its labour challenges.

Read more about the Climbing the Ladder program on NFRC’s website, Listen to the whole podcast or Watch the recording for more insights into overcoming the skilled labour shortage.

Who took the wins at the Scottish Roofing Awards ceremony?

The awards luncheon for the 2026 Scottish Roofing Awards was held Friday 30 October at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, with special guest Jojo Sutherland providing entertainment throughout the luncheon. 

The 2026 winners are as follows:   

• Fully Supported Metal 
  • Radionuclide Dept, Gartnavel Hospital–Procladd Small Works  
• Green Roofing, sponsored by ROCKWOOL UK Ltd 
  • Swan Residences, Swan Street, Glasgow–Roofing Advisors (UK) Ltd  
• Heritage Roofing, sponsored by Kytun 
  • Tigh-Nan-Ubhal–Macleod Roofing  
• Leadwork 
  • Bell Dome–Edinburgh Leadcraft Ltd  
• Liquid Applied Roofing, sponsored by Recticel Insulation UK 
  • Kadans Health Innovation Hub–Procladd Scotland Ltd  
• Multi-discipline project > £500K, sponsored by Glidevale Protect 
  • The Lucent Building–Pinnacle Roofing (Scotland) Ltd  
• Project < £25K  
  • Carlton Hotel Prestwick Honeymoon Suite–Ashton Building Systems (Scotland)  
• Rainscreen Façade, sponsored by Alumasc Roofing 
  • Village View, Belford Road, Edinburgh–JM Roofing Specialists Ltd  
• Reinforced Bituminous Membrane, sponsored by Bauder 
  • The New RA Global Headquarters, St Andrews–Ashton Building Systems (Scotland)   
• Roof Slating, sponsored by CUPA PIZARRAS  
  • Fairfield–Pinnacle Roofing (Scotland) Ltd  
• Roof Tiling, sponsored by Onestop Roofing Supplies 
  • Bentinck Drive, Troon–DM Roofing & Roughcasting Ltd  
• Sheeting & Cladding, sponsored by Fixing Point Ltd  
  • Dumfries High School–Q9 Cladding Solutions Ltd  
• Single Ply, sponsored by ICB (Waterproofing) Ltd 
  • Peebles High School–Q9 Cladding Solutions Ltd  
• Ronnie Forsyth Young Roofer of the Year Award 
  • Caleb Gunion–Marley Contract Services 

Scott Miller, NFRC Scotland chair, said: ‘Congratulations to this year’s winners, whose work truly represents the very best of our industry. From complex heritage restorations to innovative new-build projects, the standard of craftsmanship on show was exceptional, and each winning entry reflected the skill, dedication and attention to detail that Scotland’s roofing sector is known for. These achievements demonstrate not only technical excellence but also a real commitment to safety, sustainability and training the next generation of roofers. Every winning company and every individual whose hard work contributed to these projects, can be rightly proud of what they have accomplished. Their success raises the profile of the whole industry and sets a benchmark for quality that others will aspire to for years to come.'

Thanks again to all our sponsors and for making this day possible: Alumasc Roofing, Bauder, CITB, Companycam, CUPA PIZARRAS, Fixing Point, Glidevale Protect, Kytun, ICB Waterproofing, Onestop Roofing Supplies, Recticel Insulation and ROCKWOOL. 

By The Coffee Shops®.

How the International Federation of the Roofing Trade creates value for roofers in the U.K. and beyond. 

For roofing professionals around the world, the challenges facing the industry are often remarkably similar. From workforce development and technical innovation to sustainability and climate resilience, collaboration across national borders has never been more important.

That shared purpose is one of the reasons National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) continues to support its involvement in International Federation for the Roofing Trades (IFD). 

NFRC’s participation in IFD goes way back, with the core of their involvement being focused on bringing roofing professionals together to exchange ideas, experiences and solutions on issues that impact specialist roofing contractors around the globe. Current NFRC CEO James Talman is part of the modern team that is continuing that commitment to international collaboration and knowledge sharing. 

Why? One of the greatest benefits James and NFRC team see from participating in IFD is the opportunity to establish strong relationships with peers from other countries. Through those connections, roofing leaders can discuss common challenges, learn from each other's successes, and gain insights that may not be available within a single market. A prime example of this is the technical knowledge sharing that has occurred around rainscreen cladding in recent years.  

Further, IFD helps encourage the next generation of roofers. James referenced this when asked about direct results of NFRC and IFD’s collaborations, “[Examples of what comes out of the partnership include] various member successes in IFD Awards and Young Roofer Competitions.” By creating these spaces to recognize excellence in roofing, IFD and NFRC are uplifting the current generation of roofers while encouraging the next generation of professionals 

On a personal level, James credits the organization with helping him build a valuable international professional network. In his words, “The ambition that the IFD can deliver a strong message to international agencies of the key role roofing can play in [global issues such as] mitigating climate change.” 

Looking ahead, James believes broad global participation, like that from NFRC, is essential to the IFD's continued success. The more nations that become involved, the stronger the organization's ability to demonstrate true global authority on roofing-related issues. Expanding that international representation can help ensure that a diverse range of perspectives and expertise contribute to the conversations shaping the future of the industry. 

For roofing associations, contractors and industry leaders interested in shaping the future of roofing on a global scale, the IFD continues to offer a unique platform where collaboration, innovation and shared expertise can make a lasting impact. 

By The Coffee Shops®.

Expanding opportunities within the industry is no longer just about doing the right thing; it's also a business necessity.

The roofing industry has long been built on skill, resilience and hard work. But as contractors across the industry continue to face labor shortages, succession challenges and changing workforce expectations, many are asking the same question: Where will the next generation of roofing professionals come from?

In an effort to answer that question, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is sponsoring the Diversity and Inclusion in Construction Conference 2026. Taking place on October 22, 2026, at the AMEX Stadium in Brighton, the event will bring together more than 700 construction professionals to discuss workforce development, career pathways and strategies for creating a stronger, more inclusive industry.

As part of the conference, two roofing leaders, Sophie Pourou of Garhigh (Southern) Ltd and Kayleigh Lamprell of Invictus Roofing, will participate in a panel discussing specialist contractor pathways into non-traditional careers. Their experiences demonstrate that successful roofing careers do not always begin with a conventional construction background.

Sophie entered the industry through an administrative role and steadily advanced through estimating, project management and accounting before becoming a company director. As for Kayleigh, she came from a medical background and learned the roofing trade while helping build a business from the ground up. Additionally, both panelists plan to speak on working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the challenges that can accompany breaking into leadership positions and how their unique perspectives and backgrounds helped their companies problem-solve, innovate and grow. Their stories offer an important lesson for contractors: Talent can come from unexpected places. And for companies looking to recruit new talent, understanding how and why to expand recruitment efforts beyond  traditional candidate pools to individuals with diverse experiences, education paths and skill sets is key.

And diversifying recruitment is just one of the topics that this conference will cover. It will also dive into how changing workforce expectations, sustainability initiatives and evolving technology are reshaping careers in the trades. These topics directly impact roofing contractors who are trying to attract younger employees and retain them by developing long-term career paths.

Overall, roofing contractors must increasingly recognize that teams with varied backgrounds often approach challenges differently. Whether it's improving communication, finding creative solutions on complex projects or connecting with a broader customer base, diversity of thought can become a competitive advantage. This conference gives contractors a space to learn how to bring new perspectives and people into their workforce by embracing mentorship, training, career development and diversity. Further, the conference will serve as a stage to showcase the roofing industry as more accessible and appealing to future generations. Speakers like Sophie and Kayleigh offer young people role models and an example that leaders can come from unconventional paths.

As workforce challenges continue to evolve, the industry's future depends on inspiring people to see roofing as a career where they can build skills, advance professionally and make a meaningful impact. Conferences like the Diversity and Inclusion in Construction Conference 2026 are one of the ways we do that.

By Emma Peterson.

NFRC's Weather the Storm campaign offers a practical framework for discussing wellbeing on and off the jobsite.

The roofing trade can be a very high-pressure space to work. From managing physical risks like weather and working height to balancing mental tasks like deadlines and client interactions, it can all be a lot. And that’s not even considering the fact that not all of life’s pressures come from our workplaces. Professionals are often trying to manage all the different demands of the job on top whatever's going on in their personal life.

The impacts of these different stressors express themselves differently in each person, however, common expressions of stress are tiredness and distraction – two things that can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening when working in a physical trade. The key to avoiding finding yourself or your crew in a bad situation because of stress is simple – don't ignore it! Acknowledging stress among roofers is the key to creating a safer, stronger industry.

This is something that National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is emphasizing in their new campaign, Weather the Storm. As they put it:

Mental health and wellbeing affect everyone differently, but they cannot be ignored, particularly in a demanding and physical trade like roofing... Just like the weather, our mental wellbeing can change quickly. We may feel sunny and able to cope one day, but under pressure, unsettled or stormy the next...[The] Weather the Storm [campaign gives roofers] a practical way to check in with ourselves and the people around us.

The core of this campaign is the Weather the Storm check-in scale. This scale takes something roofers know all too well – weather – and creates a way to start a conversation about mental health. There are four main “forecasts” included in this scale:

1. Sunshine: If things are sunny for someone, they are coping well and feeling motivated. If you're feeling sunny, the best thing to do is maintain positive routines going and keep an eye on teammates who might not be experiencing such good weather.
2. Cloudy: When clouds start to loom overhead, it indicates that pressure might be rising. Reporting your state of being as cloud indicates that you might be feeling tired, irritable or distracted. If you feel like the clouds are gathering, it’s time to take a proper break and speak to someone you trust before those clouds start to break.
3. Rain: Once the rain starts, it’s a signal that someone is struggling. This often is tied to low mood, constant stress and feeling overwhelmed. Someone who reports as raining should speak up. Being under this much pressure is not healthy and getting support is key to avoiding wellbeing or safety risks.
4. Storm: This is the top of the scale and a request for immediate support. If someone says it’s storming for them, they are not able to cope, may be feeling trapped and likely shouldn't be actively working. If you feel like you are in the middle of a storm, make sure to immediately ask for help. You are not alone and not the only one who has felt this way. And the way to stop feeling this way is to lean on your community for support.

Overall, the point of this check-in scale is not to diagnose people or pressure them into sharing more than they are comfortable with; it is about recognising that our feelings and mental state impact our work and the safety of everyone. You might not even realize you are feeling the pressure, until someone asks. And in that way, using this check-in gives everyone an opportunity to “check in with ourselves and each other before small issues become bigger problems.”

Learn more about weathering the storm!

On a roof, tiredness, distraction, stress or feeling overwhelmed can affect judgement, communication, balance, concentration and decision-making.

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) has launched the third campaign as part of its Health, Safety and Wellbeing strategy. Titled “Weather the Storm”, the campaign is dedicated to making wellbeing part and parcel of Health and Safety.

On a roof, tiredness, distraction, stress or feeling overwhelmed can affect judgement, communication, balance, concentration and decision-making. That matters because one lapse can have serious (and sometimes fatal) consequences.

The campaign, officially launched today with an in-person member event at Pets Corner, Harlow, provides practical advice, tools and guidance to enable people to feel confident about how to prioritise wellbeing, recognise the signs of themselves or someone else in need and know where to go for help and support.

The key theme of the campaign is a ‘check-in scale’, designed as a wellbeing forecast from sunshine to stormy.

Speaking about the concept, Joanne (Jo) Lear, Mental Health Advocate and executive assistant to technical and training for NFRC, said “We wanted to create something that roofers could relate to and came up with the idea of a wellbeing forecast. Working on a roof means paying close attention to the weather conditions to stay safe, but wellbeing is equally important”.

Each tier of the check-in-scale; Sunny, Cloudy, Raining, Stormy, outlines how an individual might be feeling and what can help.

“It’s not just about taking action when something feels wrong,” continues Jo, “we’re encouraging people to recognise when they’re feeling their best and building small habits to sustain positive wellbeing.

“A quick check of the scale, just like checking the weather, takes seconds, but being conscious of how we feel, can help keep us and the people around us, safe,” concludes Jo.

Weather the Storm is the final instalment of NFRC’s Health & Wellbeing campaigns launching during 2026, all of which are designed with prevention and best practice at their core.

Any organisation can pledge support for the campaign, and in return will receive a campaign kit containing a certificate, poster and guidance resources.

By The Coffee Shops®. 

NFRC renews their warning for contractors to watch for potentially noncompliant roofing battens and shares tips on verifying their materials.  

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is urging roofing contractors, merchants, housebuilders and the wider construction supply chain to remain vigilant after receiving photographs of roofing battens with markings that appear inconsistent with BS 5534 requirements. Although the products’ origins and the circumstances surrounding their markings have not been established, NFRC advises treating questionable battens as potentially noncompliant until their grading, documentation and traceability are verified. 

Why is this such a big deal?  

Roof battens are pieces of wood that are fixed to the roof deck to support roofing materials. Not only do they provide structural reinforcement of the deck, but they also help with alignment and drainage. The installation of substandard battens can negatively affect the durability and performance of a completed roof.  

Further, battens are often used as footholds during roofing work when operatives are navigating between supports. A substandard batten can easily cause a devastating jobsite injury or even death if it goes unnoticed. 

What installers should do 

Before installation, businesses should check each batten’s dimensions, visible knots, defects and individual markings. A nominal 25 mm-thick batten should measure between 25 mm and 28 mm and must never be less than 25 mm thick. Battens should also be examined for wane, fissures, distortion, split ends, decay, insect infestation and damage caused after grading. 

Once a batten is considered usable based on physical appearance, you should take time to check markings on the material. These should identify: 

• The name of the supplier responsible for grading the battens, rather than only the distributor.  
• The origin or timber species.  
• Confirmation that the battens have been graded in accordance with BS 5534:2014+A2:2018.  
• The basic size or sizes.  
• The type of preservative and method of treatment, where applicable.  

These markings, colour and bundle labels are a great start to ensuring your battens are safe, however they should not be accepted as proof in isolation. Delivery documentation must support the product’s grading and traceability claims. 

If anything about a batten appears suspicious, NFRC recommends quarantining the material, documenting markings and defects, retaining delivery records and contacting the supplier for evidence. Concerns should also be reported to NFRC. 

Learn more about identifying and managing potentially substandard roofing battens through NFRC’s Technical Bulletin TB33 and Toolbox Talk TBT01. 

By The Coffee Shops®. 

NFRC says new government measures could help distinguish reputable businesses from rogue traders, but only if oversight and public education follow. 

Rogue traders are a big issue in the home improvement industries, like roofing. The BBC describes these individuals as “[people who] offer to fix what seems like a small problem, before pressuring people into paying for much larger jobs. They can target people through doorstep cold calls, leaflets, phone calls, websites or social media.” The negative impact of rogue traders is not only felt by the individuals who have been targeted, but also reputable members of the trades who face distrust due to these bad players.  

The good news is that the government has made moves to check rogue traders. National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reports that the government has “announced a new Approved Code Scheme for home improvement businesses, alongside a new payment system designed to protect homeowners’ money by linking payments to key project milestones.” 

NFRC welcomes this direction, noting that its members already must meet standards for competence, professionalism, customer service and compliance. However, the association also stressed that the Approved Code’s requirements must be meaningful and supported by active oversight. Without this type of clear recognition, monitoring and enforcement, the government’s code runs the risk of creating more confusion rather than increase consumer confidence. As Gray Gibson, NFRC’s Policy and External Affairs Manager, put it, “The requirements for the new Approved Code must be meaningful enough to distinguish professional businesses from those simply looking for another badge to put on their website.” 

How can the government make sure that their reforms are robust, proportionate and easy to understand? NFRC stressed the importance of educating consumers in tandem with the release of reforms:  

Consumers have an important role to play too. A reputable contractor that employs competent people, invests in training, maintains appropriate insurance, complies with regulations and stands behind its work will inevitably have higher costs than someone who does not... the Approved Code is to have a meaningful impact, it must help consumers understand the difference between a properly qualified and compliant contractor and someone offering a cheap price. 

Overall, NFRC argues that, while the new Approved Code Scheme is a step towards curbing rogue traders, sustained government support and a long-term change in consumer behaviour are crucial to the reform’s ultimate success.  

Learn more about rogue traders and government reforms.

By The Coffee Shops®.  

Learn how this regional award gives contractors an opportunity to take the national stage for the U.K. Roofing Awards. 

Every year, the Scottish Roofing Awards gives National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Scottish Members an opportunity to showcase their skill and have their craftsmanship recognised by their peers! As Scott Miller, chairman of NFRC Scotland, described it, “Making an entry for an award alone gives a chance for a contractor to pause and look back at a project... It allows recognition for the skills, craftsmanship and teamwork within their organisation to make a job excellent.” 

And while getting one of these awards is already a huge accomplishment, many of the Scottish Roofing Award recipients haven’t stopped there! Winning a Scottish Roofing Award is an automatic qualification for entry into the U.K. Roofing Awards and many Scottish tradespeople have found success on that national stage!  

For example, in 2024, Marley Contract Services (top of header image) won back-to-back at the Scottish and U.K. awards in the solar category for a project called Social Housing in North Ayrshire. Then in 2026, Aim Developments Ltd (middle of header image) won at both award ceremonies for their single-ply project Robin House. That same year, Premier Specialist Contractors (bottom of header image) took home wins at both award ceremonies for leadwork done on the Kings Theatre project.   

These are just a few examples of how Scottish contractors are showcasing incredible talent and skill on both the regional and national levels! Scott explained, “We have an incredible response to the Scottish Roofing Awards every year but knowing that our members’ projects then go on to be victorious on a greater scale at national level is really something special, and a very big incentive to put your entry forward for the Scottish Awards.” 

Learn more about the Scottish Roofing Awards and how contractors can put their projects forward for recognition.