February 2024
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Industry News<br />
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk<br />
GRO WORKING GROUP ADDRESSES<br />
SECTOR TRAINING DEMANDS<br />
According to green roof material supplier Diadem, the green roof<br />
market is set to be worth GBP £4.5 billion by 2030. This is based on<br />
growth of around 17% each year. But how will the industry keep up with<br />
demand without the recruitment of the next generation of designers,<br />
installers and stewards of vegetated rooftops? And how is GRO, the<br />
Green Roof Organisation, addressing the potential skills gap?<br />
GRO has announced that the recently<br />
formed GRO Training & Education<br />
working group is celebrating over 500<br />
learners that have engaged with green<br />
roof training via Lantra Awards and<br />
GRO certification since 2018. GRO<br />
says the training has been rolled out across the four UK nations, including<br />
uptake from NatureScot, Natural Resources Wales and Queen’s University<br />
Belfast, plus numerous practical installation courses in England.<br />
The Association points out its member companies Wildflower Turf Ltd and<br />
Wraxalls have been offering green roof training to their partners and<br />
clients to encourage further uptake in the industry, and Construction<br />
College Midlands, part of Walsall College, has created a bespoke green<br />
roof rig in its green skills training area. GRO has also announced this year<br />
sees the introduction of a Green Roofs Microcredential (qualification) from<br />
Gower College and Swansea University, supported by funding from Welsh<br />
Government and, separately, the foundations of a Sustainable<br />
Environmental Roofing apprenticeship scheme.<br />
GRO says it is also actively working towards a more diverse and inclusive<br />
industry, having signed up to the Horticultural Industries ED&I Charter,<br />
and says it is proud that there is already a good ethnic and gender<br />
balance across the 500 plus certified learners. With this in mind, the<br />
Association points out Abigail S. was just 18 when she became the first<br />
female, and only the third person, in the UK to hold a blue LISS/CSCS<br />
Green Roof Installer card, demonstrating competency in the installation<br />
and maintenance of green roofs.<br />
The working group, which is made up of Chris Bridgman as Chair (Bridgman<br />
& Bridgman and GRO Vice Chair), Giles Doland (Zinco and GRO Chair), Mark<br />
W Harris (SIKA and GRO Secretary), Kay Rose (Institute of Roofing), Ben<br />
Arundel (ABG Installs), Ben Howkins (Sky Garden), Mark Dunn (SIKA), Neel<br />
Bidessie (Langley) and James Beattie (Pritchard & Pritchard), says it will be<br />
focusing on meeting the training needs of the future across all learning<br />
levels, and including all roles within the industry, whilst a route map for<br />
learners will be created, as well as a focus on training the trainer.<br />
www.greenrooforganisation.org / www.lantra.co.uk/product/35103<br />
ROBERTS GROUP ANNOUNCES<br />
NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR<br />
The Roberts Group, encompassing industry leaders Polyroof, Restec,<br />
and Resology, have proudly announced the appointment of Patrick<br />
Roberts as Group Managing Director.<br />
In this role, The Roberts Group says Patrick will spearhead the Group’s<br />
strategic vision and operational excellence, ushering in a new era of growth<br />
and innovation.<br />
The Roberts Group says Patrick, a 3rd generation member of the Roberts<br />
family, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the<br />
organisation’s values, and his advancement signifies a pivotal moment in the<br />
family business’s evolution, with a commitment to maintaining its roots and<br />
core principles, while embracing professional growth and global expansion.<br />
Nick Roberts, representing the 2nd generation of the Roberts family, will take<br />
on the role of CEO alongside the company’s Chairman, David Roberts.<br />
Together, they boast an impressive, combined tenure of nearly 70 years at the<br />
helm and have played instrumental roles in shaping the Roberts Group into<br />
an industry leader. The Roberts Group says this transition reflects their<br />
strategic move towards trustee and supervisory roles, allowing them to<br />
contribute their expertise to the broader strategic direction of the group,<br />
ensuring it remains not only an industry leader, but also a great company to<br />
work with.<br />
“The legacy of the Roberts Group is a testament to the leadership of David<br />
and Nick Roberts over the past four decades,” explained Patrick Roberts.<br />
“Their dedication, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have laid<br />
a strong foundation for not only our continued success, but the liquid roofing<br />
industry as a whole. I am honoured to build upon their achievements and<br />
lead the group into the future.”<br />
The Roberts family’s commitment to excellence extends to other key<br />
members, including Ben Roberts and Andrew Roberts, who serve as the<br />
Quality Manager and Sustainability Manager, respectively. The company says<br />
their roles highlight the family’s dedication to quality and sustainability as<br />
integral components of the family business’s ethos.<br />
www.polyroof.co.uk / www.restecroofing.co.uk<br />
Patrick Roberts<br />
(centre) with Nick<br />
Roberts (left) and<br />
David Roberts.<br />
10 TC FEBRUARY <strong>2024</strong>
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