I have been in the roofing industry for almost 40 years since starting work in the sales ledger department of the Marley Tile Company in 1978. A short stint in the stocking yard looking after the products soon followed and lasted for a couple of years until I joined Fraser Roofing as a trainee Estimator. This move lit a fire, and with the inspiring encouragement of local director, Peter Redhead, and the company founder John Fraser, for the first time I actually enjoyed work! Sadly, in 1986, only three years after I joined, the parent company was declared bankrupt and unemployment beckoned.
Encouraged by John Fraser, I partnered with Ron Hayes, a fellow manager at Fraser Roofing, and formed Barclay Roofing Ltd. We received a great deal of support from within the industry and were helped from the outset by customers and suppliers. We were able to hit the ground running, employing a select few former Fraser Roofing staff on many of the developments already well known to us both.
This was very much a family enterprise, with Ron and his wife Viv providing the office courtesy of their front bedroom until the business became established. Viv juggled bringing up a young family with a full range of administrative duties, and for a short while my wife Julie also chipped in. As the business expanded, new premises were required to accommodate our growth, and so, we moved to Portrack Lane, Stockton in 1988. After several successful years, in 2002 I took control of the business, with Ron and Viv retiring shortly afterwards.
Our current contracts managers all benefit from having worked ‘on the tools’. I consider the technical knowledge this brings to set us apart from our rivals, meaning our customers have the assurance that the works undertaken will be completed to the highest standard. I take great pride in our workforce, the majority of whom are directly employed and have been with the company for a great many years.
On a personal level I have been a committee member of the Yorkshire and North East branch of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) since 2007, and am currently chairman of the Yorkshire and North East branch. This in turn has led to my involvement with several steering committees and working parties, assisting and advising the CITB, NHBC, and NFRC in updating and amending industry standards.
My hobbies, in the precious spare time I have to enjoy them, are wide and varied. One of the greatest pleasures I have is discovering something new. Whether this be a city I have never visited, a beautiful piece of art or architecture, a particularly good glass of wine, or a brilliant piece of music, it doesn't matter. But always, top of the list of priorities is my home and family.
