Screwfix has announced the semi-finalists for its Top Tradesperson 2023 Award, with four carpenters and joiners reaching this stage of the national award. They include Astrid Arnold, Ben Ingersent, Brendan Boyle and Mike Reiffer.
Brendan Boyle (top), 30, from Felixstowe in Suffolk, is the co-director of B A Boyle & Son Ltd and has been working in the trade for 16 years. Brendan’s business started out as a carpentry company and has since expanded into a full-service construction and renewable heating firm, carrying out large projects across Suffolk. He is passionate about supporting the next generation of tradespeople, holding trade talks at Suffolk Rural College, and investing in training and qualifications for the apprentices he employs.
Astrid Arnold
Astrid Arnold, 48, from Newton Abbot in Devon, owns TouchWood South West and has been working in the trade for 23 years. The TouchWood team of tradeswomen teach a wide range of courses for up-and-coming tradespeople, as well as for DIY-ers, alongside their offering of traditional carpentry services. The firm is also involved in several charitable initiatives, including supporting women who are survivors of domestic violence.
Ben Ingersent
Ben Ingersent, 37, from Somerton in Somerset, is the director of Ingersent Interiors and has been working in the trade for over 20 years. After achieving two consecutive gold medals at the SkillBuild National Finals, Ben went on to earn himself a Medallion of Excellence at the International World Skills final in Japan, back in 2007. Having recently started his own business, he hopes to one day be able to train his own apprentice to a world-class standard.
Mike Reiffer
Mike, 37, from Bridgend in South Wales, owns Wood Flooring Specialist and has been working in the trade for more than 15 years. Mike’s hard work, which sees him work on domestic and commercial projects, including Cardiff University, and other historical buildings in the local area, is also recognised by the Guild of Master Craftsmen.
They will now compete against 23 other top tradespeople from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, who were selected from over 1,000 applications, for the chance to be shortlisted as a top 10 finalist. The top 10 will participate in a one-day final event at Screwfix Live, on Friday 22nd September, where a panel of esteemed industry experts will interview the finalists before deciding on who is this year’s champion.
The overall winner will be crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023, and take home the ultimate trade bundle of tools, tech, and training worth £20,000.
