Three UK Decorators Reach Screwfix Top Tradesperson Semi-Final

Three decorators; Lewis Mitten from Cheltenham, Joanne Guy-Hay from Newcastle, and Georgie Baker from Essex have reached the semi-finals of Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023.

Lewis, 31, who owns Mitten’s Decorating has been working in the trade for 7 years. Lewis was inspired to become a decorator after suffering with his mental health. Driven by his ambition to run his own business, he plunged all the money he had to start Mitten’s Decorating. Within just a few months, Lewis had built up the business enough to take on an apprentice, and in the years that followed Lewis has hired three more apprentices to work alongside him. Together, they have raised money for charity and carried out free-of-charge jobs in the local community for people in need.

Image : Lewis Mitten

Joanne, 33, who owns Joanne Hay Painting has been working in the trade for 17+ years. Joanne has built up her reputation as a painter and decorator, sharing her work and knowledge on social media to inspire other budding decorators. Joanne’s large social media following has inspired many young women to embark on apprenticeships in decorating, and her channel acts as a voice for women in the trade.

Image : Joanne Guy Hay

Georgie, 35, who runs his own business, has been working in the trade for more than 10 years. Since setting up his own business, Georgie’s passion for the trade has really changed his life and seen him win several awards. Georgie has also featured on a variety of TV shows including Changing Rooms and Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out.

Image : Georgie Baker

They will now compete against 24 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.

Lewis comments: “I’m thrilled to get through to the semi-finals of Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2023. I hope to impress the judges with my decorating skills, and I also want to inspire tradespeople with my commitment to do the best for the environment.”

Joanne comments: “It’s great to be a semi-finalist, particularly knowing how many incredible tradespeople I would have been up against. Winning Screwfix Top Tradesperson would boost my platform on social media to help me reach even more young women and aspiring decorators.”

Georgie adds: “Reaching the national final in September and winning the award would be great recognition for me and my business. I’ve used my business and experience within the trade to turn my life around. My drive shows that if you really want something enough you can achieve it.”

Now in the 14th year of the prestigious award, Lewis, Joanne and Georgie aim to join the Top Tradesperson Hall of Fame, alongside reigning champion Toby Peacock who won the competition last year.

Toby, an electrician from Cambridge, has shown himself to be a true ambassador for the trade, launching his podcast ‘Tearoom Talks’ which focuses on improving mental health in the trade.

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, said: “We know there are many exceptional tradespeople out there who show passion and dedication day in, day out. When choosing our champion of the trade, we look for inspirational tradespeople that go above and beyond for their customers, as well as acting as an ambassador for the industry to encourage the next generation of tradespeople. Through this national award, we hope to recognise the fantastic work of tradespeople who are invaluable to our economy and the communities they serve.

“A huge congratulations to all our semi-finalists – I wish them the best of luck and look forward to meeting our finalists in September!” To find out more about Screwfix Top Tradesperson, please visit screwfix.com/stt

Source : Screwfix

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