Carpenter and joiner make Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024 finals

Two professionals from the carpentry/joinery sector have made this year’s Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024 finals.

David Keyzer, a joiner from Tameside, and Christopher James, a carpenter from Pembrokeshire, join eight others in making the finals, which takes place at Screwfix LIVE.

Keen to ensure that newly qualified carpenters enter the trade with a credible and broad skill set, David, who owns Heritage Joinery, began teaching apprentices and adults at a local college in 2006. Now more than two decades later, David is teaching second generation apprentices whose parents he once taught. As part of his teaching regime, David emphasises that passion and enthusiasm for your work are crucial in order to reap the rewards. Sustainability is also a key part of his syllabus. As such,

David says he ensures his students are given the correct knowledge on the reduction of waste and benefits of using high quality materials. He also supports initiatives to make packaging more eco-friendly.

For Christopher, he highlighted his commitment to the wider community through his company, Kingsmere Carpentry and Construction, and has raised more than £50,000 for the charity, Farms for City Children, which enables children from disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on farms in the countryside.

He also recently fitted a defibrillator outside a local shop and is keen to complete more installations across the region.

Looking forward, Chris is eager to invest in further training opportunities for his employees and broaden his own skillset by learning the basics of electrics. He also hopes to see a bigger push from the education system to promote apprenticeships within the trade to encourage more young people to consider a career in the industry.

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, said: “The nation’s tradespeople are an invaluable asset not just to the economy, but also the local communities in which they work. So much hard work goes on behind the scenes that most people often don’t get

to see, which is why we created Screwfix Top Tradesperson, to give them the recognition they deserve.

“Our 10 finalists have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their trade, and we’d like to wish them the very best of luck for the final. Although I, and the other judges, have got a tough job ahead of us, we can’t wait to see what each contestant will bring to the table.”

Marking the 15th year of the award, the final of this year’s Screwfix Top Tradesperson takes place at Screwfix LIVE, where a panel of industry experts will put David, Chris and the other finalists through their paces before selecting this year’s overall champion.

The panel included representatives from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), and reigning champion, Astrid Arnold.

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