Fitter of the Year - LVT - 2025 Final

The grand final of the Fitter of the Year 2025 - LVT took place at The Flooring Show in Harrogate on the 21st and 22nd September.

The five finalists performed a masterclass in craftsmanship, precision, and passion for what they do which made the job of judging all the more difficult. The judges for 2025 were Ian James, Brian King and Richard Renouf.

The five finalists for 2025 were:

• Hayden Barr – Ambleside, Cumbria
• Wesley Brocklesby – Ossett, West Yorkshire
• Dan Jones – Thame, Oxfordshire
• Neil MacKay – York, North Yorkshire
• Dean White – Liskeard, Cornwall

The competition was won by Dan Jones who was supported throughout the final by his wife Adele. Dan walked away with a cash prize of £2000 plus a host of vouchers, a selection of tools and equipment kindly donated by our sponsors. This year's challenge contained four different elements. The first element was a hexagonal shaped area to be installed with a Kraus Herringbone clic tile provided by Roberts QEP. The second element was to install Textures Elements Basket weave splitting the area in half so that one side was done as straight lay and the other on a 45-degree angle in colours Mahogany and White Ash. The third element was to install herringbone with a border using a new product from KC-CP in a beautiful Honey Oak colour. The fourth element was the feature step which was also fitted with the honey oak in the matching plank option and a Bendybull profile supplied by Stairrods UK.

Dan said of the experience: "The LVT fitter of the year competition this year was my third attempt. I initially entered in 2020 but the flooring show was cancelled due to covid. The competition was then scheduled for 2021. Being my first, I didn't complete the task but gained some great experience and friends. The second one in 2023 was very close but sadly I missed out. It still was a fantastic experience. So, fast forward to this year. I remained a lot calmer and called on my experience from the last two competitions. I was elated, as was my wife Adele, to hear my name called out as the winner. I know my Dad would have been proud. For anyone who's thinking of entering, I could not recommend it enough. You will enjoy the experience and definitely make new friends with like-minded installers. The prize money and gifts from the sponsors are unbelievable and a massive thanks goes to them. Also, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Ian (head judge), Brian, Richard and the real Dan Jones for all their hard work and commitment. Also, thanks go to Lesa and all the NICF admin team for all their hard work. I can now watch and relax when the next competition takes place. I will be feeling your nerves though... go for it!".

View the 2025 Final photo gallery

This year's Judges challenge was to produce a picture using light and dark tiles which were supplied by Associated Weavers and were part of their Invictus collection. The theme for this year was Famous Landmarks and though all entries were stunning the unanimous winner was Dean White with his King Kong at the top of the Empire State Building and he won a £100 Amazon Voucher.

As well as the many that came to Hall Q to watch, there was the option to watch the whole thing on UK Flooring TV's live stream and interactions topped a very impressive 900 thousand.

Ian James had this to say about the 2025 event "In my opinion this has been the best final we have had and although I am relieved that it's all over, a part of me didn't want it to end. All five finalists should be very proud of what they achieved. I'm already thinking about what we can do for next year as the competition reverts back to carpet and it will be the 10th anniversary of the competition's return, so I need to come up with something special."

The NICF would like to express their sincere thanks to all of this year's sponsors, without whom this competition would not be possible, the competitors, the judges and all who help make the event happen.

If you want to take part in next year's competition you can register your interest on the NICF website.

Our Finalists

My name is Hayden, I come from the Lake District in Cumbria. I started out in the flooring industry 16 years ago straight out of school, working with my dad. He enrolled me on the Floorskills apprenticeship scheme and has encouraged me to keep up with regular training ever since. In our shop we supply and fit all kinds of flooring from LVT to Naturals. The main part of my fitting over the last few years has been focused on LVT. I entered this competition to test myself against the best guys in the business and I'm humbled to have made it this far. I'd like to wish all the other finalists the best of luck and would encourage anyone considering entering to do it, it's a great experience and you will meet some brilliant people within the industry. Thank you to the NICF and all the sponsors for giving me this opportunity.

Hayden Barr

Hey I'm Wesley Brocklesby from Wakefield, West Yorkshire. I'm really happy to have made the finals, I have grown up in the flooring trade and part of the second generation running our successful family business, Brockson Carpets, in Ossett. For the past 8 years I've specialised in LVT installations and have attended a number of LVT training courses to learn new scribing techniques as well as the preparation knowledge to help get the best finish. I always critique my own work to help me be a better fitter. I can't wait for the finals to raise the bar again for myself. I wish the best of luck to the other finalists.

Wesley Brocklesby

My name is Daniel Jones, I'm 55, married to my lovely wife Adele. I have 4 beautiful children. I have been in the flooring industry for 37 years. My main area of flooring is LVT and Vinyl. I'm employed by Oxford City Flooring who are a fantastic company to work for. My story began in 1988 when I walked into a careers office after leaving a job I hated. There was a job advertised for a "Floorlayer Improver". That was it! Applied, started on the next day and I'm still at it. I love the trade and its characters. I've had the pleasure of meeting lots of people within the trade, all great people. I'm thrilled to make the finals at Harrogate this year. I would like to take the opportunity to wish all the finalists the very best. It's so nice to be amongst like-minded, top class installers.

Daniel Jones

I'm married to my beautiful wife of 3 years Charlotte to who we share 2 great children Liam and Jude. I've been in the industry for 25 years. Starting off working for the late Rod Naismith on British Home Stores doing LVT. After that, serving my time learning all aspects of flooring at Elvington Floorcraft in York. Now I own my company York Floor Design, and we focus on bespoke LVT. Since doing my mastercraftman accreditation and a Floorskills course on motifs it has awoken my passion for creating something no one else has and something truly bespoke for our customers. It is an honour to get to the final of this year's competition, all the best to everyone involved.

Neil Mackay

I'm truly thrilled to be here testing myself against some of the best in the industry, I just hope I can do myself, my family and those that trained me proud!  Especially as this weekend is my 10th wedding anniversary!!! Best do well so I'm not in trouble with the wife. I live in a small village in Cornwall with my wife and 2 kids, who all share my love of all things rock and metal and a little bit out there. I started my flooring career with my dad at the age of 13, and after over 10 years doing council refurb work, I discovered LVT on twitter and was instantly inspired to improve myself. I went off to Floorskills and after a fair few courses (one taken by Dan Jones) I decided this competition was the next step. I wish all the competitors the best of luck, I can't wait to get at it with them.

Dean White

Our Semi-Finalists

We would like to take the opprotunity here to thank our remaining semi-finalists who haven't made the final, but who took part and playing a valued role in the 2025 competition.