February 2024

Industry News
SUPPLIER MOVES TO
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
Optagon Group, which owns Rubber4Roofs, a
specialist in flat roofing materials, has
announced that its 50-strong workforce now
owns the majority of the company through
the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model.
First established in 2010 and based in
Swallowgate Business Park, Coventry,
Optagon owns and operates a family of
brands. These include Rubber4roofs, Roof
Depot, SkyGuard and Kitbuildr.
The move to employee ownership is said to
have been motivated by an offer from a larger
organisation to buy the business. However, the
founders, Tom and Tina Cullingford, turned it
down to let the staff be in charge of the
company’s destiny.
Explaining why they decided to sell Optagon to
the staff, the Cullingfords stated: “It takes a
lot of hard work and determination to build a
company, and it takes a great team to build a
great business. We were approached earlier in
the year by a large organisation that wanted to
buy the business, which got us thinking. It
was an amazing offer, but we turned it down
because we wanted this company to control
its destiny.
“We believe the best way to achieve that is to
involve every single member of staff in how it
is run. This is a terrific business – 2023 has
been our best-ever year– and we wanted all
staff to benefit from that success as we
continue to grow. We’re incredibly excited at
the huge opportunity this represents. This is
going to be business as usual, only better.”
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk
ICB LAUNCHES NEW CARDIFF TRAINING HUB
ICB Waterproofing, one of the UK's leading
providers of waterproofing solutions, has
opened a new training facility in Cardiff, Wales.
The company says the new facility, strategically
located in the city of Cardiff, is part of its
expansion plan, giving local roofing contractors
access to available training and technical
information.
Recognising the importance of specialised
training, ICB Waterproofing says it is excited to
offer a range of courses tailored to the needs of
modern roofing professionals:
• alwitra Evalon Single Ply Training Courses:
Contractors can choose between intensive 1-day
and comprehensive 3-day courses. With extensive
industry experience, ICB's certified trainers will
help to develop participants’ practical and
technical expertise.
• Fleet PMMA Liquid Training: This specialised
1-day training focuses on the application and
benefits of PMMA (Polymethyl Methacrylate)
liquid waterproofing solutions. Participants will
gain hands-on experience and an in-depth
understanding of this versatile material,
enhancing their ability to deliver durable and
aesthetically pleasing waterproofing solutions.
• Strata Reinforced Bitumen Membranes
Training Course: A complete 3-day course
designed for those looking to master the
application of bitumen roofing. This program
covers everything from the basics to advanced
ICB Waterproofing’s new
training facility in Cardiff.
techniques, ensuring that participants are wellequipped
to work with this robust and time-tested
roofing material.
ICB Waterproofing says the facility is tailor-made
for training, ensuring that each participant gains
maximum benefit from their experience. The
company says its certified trainers are industry
leaders with a wealth of knowledge and a passion
for nurturing the next generation of roofing experts.
Mike Williams, the Regional Technical Manager for
the area of Cardiff, will be on hand to answer any
technical questions. He explained: “With 15 years
of experience within the roofing industry, I am
looking to develop my relationships with local
roofing contractors further and build new
connections with contractors in south Wales and
surrounding areas.”
The office is also home to Perry Hawkes, the
Projects Technical Sales Manager, who specialises
in Solar PV and Green Roofs. He commented: “My
aim is to open the door to additional opportunities
by helping the customers tender for works they
would otherwise turn down, offering wrap-round
specification, design, and installation support for
Solar PV, Green Roofs, and roof safety systems
amongst other things.”
Roofing contractors interested in enrolling in the
training courses or who are interested in finding
out more about the facility can visit
alwitra.co.uk/become-accredited or contact
ICB on 01202 785200.
Tom Cullingford will stay on as Managing
Director as part of a senior leadership team
running the company day to day. He will be
joined on the board of the business by two
newly appointed Legal Directors, General
Manager Antony Murray and Finance Director
Zoe George. www.rubber4roofs.co.uk
8 TC FEBRUARY 2024