FOLLOWING success at the UK Roofing Awards, NFRC nominated a number of members to represent the UK at the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) Awards, which were held in Bratislava, Slovakia.
NFRC director of membership Richard Miller attended the ceremony, held at Sheraton Bratislava Hotel, to cheer for members representing the UK in two categories; flat roofing and pitched roofing.
This follows each project winning their respective categories earlier this year at the UK Roofing Awards. Representing the UK were Nigel Smith of Claude N Smith, and Blake Jones and Scott Goodwin of Central Group.
Claude N Smith won the Pitched Roofing Category for the Christ’s College project in Cambridge, whilst Central Group took second place in the Flat Roofing Category for its work at Center Parcs’ Whinfell Forest site.
“This is a tremendous achievement by our members, and I am absolutely thrilled for the teams behind Claude N Smith and Central Group,” Richard Miller said. “To win the UK Roofing Awards is significant given the quality of entries and the high level of workmanship we know is in the UK roofing sector, but to go against international teams and standards, and be successful, is astounding.”
The slates used for the Christ’s College project were produced by Claude N Smith from its mine in the Northamptonshire village of Collyweston.
Entries at the IFD Awards are submitted from companies across the world, including the USA and many parts of Europe where NFRC said roofing standards and quality are often different to that of the UK.
Bob Richardson, head of technical and training at NFRC and head judge of the UK Roofing Awards, added, “We’re extremely familiar with the expectations of IFD competitions and what it takes to stand out against the best of the best from across the world, particularly given the technical differences and intricacies. This shows that the quality we achieve right here in the UK, not only in terms of workmanship but the materials themselves, is something we can all be proud of across the sector, and I commend Claude N Smith and Central Group for this fantastic accolade.”
The next UK Roofing Awards will be held in May 2026, and winners will be eligible for nomination at the IFD competition later in the year. Details of how to enter will be announced by NFRC soon but companies are encouraged to document their projects throughout the year to ensure they are well prepared.
