Northampton tradesman named '˜best in Britain'

Northampton's Stuart Roache is on top of the world this week after being crowned Britain's Top Tradesperson 2018.
Stuart RoacheStuart Roache
Stuart Roache

The married father of three scooped one of the trade industry’s most coveted awards during a grand final held at Twickenham. The competition is organised by retailer Screwfix and supported by Mitsubishi Motors.

More than 3,000 people entered the annual contest, first launched in 2009, but it was Stuart – who trades under the name Abington Home Maintenance – who triumphed, impressing judges with his ‘passion, commitment to customer service and his desire to support adult learners’.

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Caroline Welsh, director of Brand and Marketing at Screwfix said: “It was a tough decision this year as our 11 finalists were outstanding in their trade, but Stuart’s passion for customer service and dedication to his trade was overwhelming.

“As a late starter into the trade, he is also devoted to supporting adult learners and plans to recruit and train them so they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to also succeed.

“Stuart is a true people’s champion.”

For his achievement, married father-of-three Stuart not only collected the title of Britain’s Top Tradesperson, he also won a Mitsubishi L200 Warrior pick-up truck worth £33,000.

Stuart qualified in both joinery and plumbing after training at night college for six-years after deciding on a career change at the age of 30.

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“Putting myself through college while running a family was hard, but the support I got from my wife, who is my rock, and my children made me determined to succeed,” he said. “Because I started from scratch and know how difficult it can be to retrain and learn something new, and make that work, I just want to give others the opportunity to achieve the same as I did.

“I love my job and I wouldn’t change it for the world. My customers are my everything because without them I’d be nowhere, that’s why I always aim to deliver the highest standards of service.”

Rob Lindley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK said: “Reaching the final of any national competition is a huge achievement but to make the grade in a competition as fiercely contested as this, against so many talented and dedicated tradespeople, is truly an accomplishment to be very proud of.”

During Friday’s grand-final, Christina Valentine, from Epsom, and Ben Kuchta, from Nuneaton, were also highly commended by the judges.