Neil Mackay - New Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome Neil Mackay, a new Fitter Member from York.

Join us for our 2026 Open Day

We are delighted to confirm the details of our 2026 Open Day taking place on Friday 24 April at the FITA Training Centre in Loughborough LE11 1RA from 10.00am until 3.00pm, it is open to both NICF members and non-members.  

Attendees of last year's event may recall that several of our patron members were present, offering demonstrations on the proper application of their products. The event also provided an opportunity to engage with the technical teams and address any flooring issues participants had experienced.

This year's event will differ a little from last time with the focus being more on participation as opposed to just watching. Demonstrations will be carried out by those who are masters in their field and will include all aspects of flooring, then there will be the chance for those of you that want to get hands on a with any of the tasks, our aim is for everything to be interactive.

Our President, Jason Draper, will be demonstrating stair runner installation, including the process of making and tapping, which is certainly worth coming along to see.

The NICF Vice-President Dan Jones will be demonstrating the evermore popular binding tapes to produce rugs and stair runners which proves to be a very well-liked service to offer customers currently.

The current LVT Fitter of the Year Dan Jones will be demonstrating different resilient floorcoverings throughout the day so this is an ideal opportunity to learn some tips and tricks from the best.

Jamie Addison will be doing a demonstration using natural flooring if that is something that you would like to try or may have questions on.

The master fitter carpet bay will be fitted out live on the day with an opportunity for those who have considered upgrading to this top-level category to ask questions and see how it is done. This offers a rare insight into what is expected and is a must for anyone considering upgrading to Master Fitter status in future. 

Sub-floor preparation demo’s will also take place throughout the day, and there will also be a tool demo area where some of the latest tools will be available for you to try. 

We are delighted to be welcoming the following companies, some of whom are NICF Patron Member or Fitter of the Year Sponsors:

• F Ball & Co Ltd – Tim Green and Phil Nightingale will be carrying out demos and offering technical advice. 
• Floormart Ltd – Kieran Howard will be there on the day.  You will have the chance to order tools that you may have tried or maybe you just have some that are due for replacement. 
• KC CP will supply their popular Forest Impressions LVT for demonstrations, so visitors can experience how easy it is to cut and fit. Elliot Gunn will be on hand to answer technical questions and provide samples.
• Mapei UK Ltd – Neal Perryman will be carrying out demos answering questions.
• MyScribe – Sam Prosser will be there to demo the tool and answer any questions.
• Penthouse Carpets – Simon Beeby is attending to answer any questions about the manufacturing of their carpets.
• The Stocklists – your chance to meet the Editor Lauren McCarthy who will be there to chat about the publication, and to ensure you are on the circulation list for your FREE copy each month (it’s one FREE subscription per NICF membership).  Perhaps you have thought about submitting editorial to The Stocklists but were not sure if it was something they would consider.  This could be your opportunity to discuss it in more detail with Lauren and to find out how to progress it. 
• Ulster Carpets – Andrew Gicquel and Tony Wilkes will be bringing sample books for you to view and will be able to answer any questions about the manufacturing of their carpets. 

As well as all that some NICF council members will be on hand to advise you regarding the benefits of membership or how to get the most from your membership or maybe you just want to talk flooring, we can do that too. Maybe you are thinking about entering future fitter of the year competitions and would like to know more details about that, we can advise on that and FITA’s training courses. 

Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the day including bacon rolls at lunch time, biscuits, tea, coffee and juices. There will also be a raffle and the chance if time permits to request a demonstration, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Join us for what promises to be another unmissable NICF open day.  

Please ensure you register to attend (to assist us with our catering arrangements) by calling the NICF office on 0115 958 3077 or email info@nicfltd.org.uk.  

Paul Sycamore - Rejoining Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome back Paul Sycamore, a Fitter from Derby.

NICF launches new guidance to support best practice in laminate flooring installation

NICF is pleased to annouce that ove the past 18 months it has worked alongside the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) and the Wood Panel Industries Federation (WPIF) to puroduce new guidance covering the installation of laminate flooring. This follows the withdrawal of BS 8425 and CEN/TS 14472 part 3 and responds to the continued growth in the use of laminate products across domestic and commercial projects.

The guidance provides practical direction on specification, subfloor assessment and installation methods, with links to relevant British Standards where applicable. As laminate flooring continues to be selected for its visual appeal, performance and ease of maintenance, the document sets out clear expectations for good practice from early design stages through to final inspection and handover to the client.

Key topics addressed include moisture testing of substrates, requirements for surface regularity, selection of appropriate underlays, considerations around underfloor heating systems and clarity on the roles and responsibilities of those involved in a project. Strong emphasis is placed on early communication between manufacturers, contractors and clients, recognising that many common failures can be prevented when moisture management and subfloor condition are properly addressed from the outset.

The guidance has been welcomed across the flooring and wood based products sectors, with feedback highlighting its value in raising installation standards and helping to reduce disputes throughout the supply chain.

This publication is available to members only via the member area of the NICF website. Members should contact info@nicfltd.org.uk if they do not have a login to the member area (or need a reminder) and would like to access the document.

Courtprice Limited - New Patron Member

The NICF would like to welcome Courtprice Limited, a new Patron Member from Birmingham.

Luke Johnson - Rejoining Master Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome back Luke Johnson, a Master Fitter from Berkshire.

Abdullah Aqtash - New Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome Abdullah Aqtash, a new Fitter Member from Northolt, West London.

Granorte UK Limited - New Patron Member

The NICF would like to welcome Granorte UK Limited, a new Patron Member from Telford.

Fabio Fantauzzi - Returning Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome back Fabio Fantauzzi, a Fitter from Farnborough in Hampshire.

MFA Contract Services Ltd - New Retailer Member

The NICF would like to welcome MFA Contract Services Ltd, a new Retailer Member from Tottenham.

Harry Robinson - New Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome Harry Robinson, a New Fitter Member from Leicestershire.

Natasha Brierley - New Master Fitter Member

The NICF would like to welcome Natasha Brierley, a new Master Fitter Member from Bolton.

Companies House Changes

Starting Tuesday 18 November, company directors will be legally required to complete an identity-verification process with Companies House before they can file their next confirmation statement. This change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to strengthen oversight of UK companies and combat economic crime.

Directors can verify their identity either through their GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Those choosing the GOV.UK One Login route will need a mobile phone with a functioning camera and a valid form of photo identification, such as a passport or driving licence. The verification process is expected to take roughly 10 minutes, after which each verified individual will receive a personal code that can be used across all companies for which they act as a director.

Companies House has also confirmed that several of its fees will change on 1 February 2026. The digital filing fee for confirmation statements will rise from £34 to £50, the cost of digital incorporation will increase from £50 to £100, and the fee for applying for a digital voluntary strike-off will drop from £33 to £13. A full breakdown of the revised fees is available on the Companies House website.

NICF Annual General Meeting 2025

The NICF 2025 Annual General Meeting took place earlier this month at Ball & Young Ltd (Corby) and online via Zoom. 

The minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting, the year end accounts for 2024/2025 and the Report of Council for 2024/2025 were all approved at the meeting.

Council elections took place with five Council places available.  We would like to welcome newly elected Council members Dean Dickinson, Tim Green and Sam Willis.  Re-elected to Council were Jamie Addison and Craig Emery. The term of office for Council members is three years.

The full NICF Council for 2025/2026 is: 

Jason Draper - President
Dan Jones - Vice-President
Brian King - Honorary Treasurer
Jamie Addison
Matthew Blackbourn
Craig Bates (Spotnails Ltd)
Dean Dickinson
Craig Emery
Tim Green
Simon Grimley
Ian James
Gary Scott (Hanson Plywood Ltd)
Mark Smurthwaite
Paul Sycamore (Bostik Ltd)
Sam Willis
Matthew Yerrell

Following the AGM there was a tour of the Ball and Young factory.  Our thanks to Ball & Young for hosting us on the day and to those who were able to atend the meeting and tour.

Rob Kilner - New Associate Member

The NICF would like to welcome Rob Kilner, a new Associate Member from Farnham in Surrey.

Curtis Benson - New Trainee Member

The NICF would like to welcome Curtis Benson, a new Trainee Member from Nottingham.

Hundreds of Employers Exposed for Underpaying Workers

The Government has released its latest list of companies that failed to pay employees the National Minimum Wage, revealing that 491 employers short-changed around 42,000 workers across the UK.

According to the figures, the named employers have been ordered to repay a total of £6 million in unpaid wages and have received fines worth £10.2 million. The amounts owed to staff varied dramatically, with one employer owing over £824,000 to more than 3,000 workers, while another owed just £245 to a single employee.

Investigations found that the most frequent causes of underpayment included not paying apprentices the correct rate, failing to implement the updated minimum wage, and not compensating employees for all the hours they worked.

In a move to strengthen workers’ rights, the Government confirmed that a new Fair Work Agency will be launched in April 2026 under the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill. The agency will take responsibility for enforcing fair pay and addressing cases where employers fail to provide statutory holiday or sick pay.

Officials said the new system aims to simplify enforcement and ensure that all workers receive the pay and protections they are entitled to.

UK Consumer Confidence Edges Higher in August Amid Mixed Economic Signals

GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index rose by two points to -17 in August, according to the latest findings from the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB), powered by NIM. Compared with July’s results, four of the five measures improved, while one declined. The CCB, jointly produced by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM)—the organisation that founded GfK—has been released collaboratively since October 2023.

Neil Bellamy, Consumer Insights Director at GfK, an NIQ company, commented that the most notable movements this month were in personal finance confidence, with both the retrospective and forward-looking indicators rising by three points. He attributed this improvement partly to the Bank of England’s interest rate cut on August 7, which reduced borrowing costs to their lowest level in over two years.

Bellamy added that, while the uptick in confidence around personal finances is a positive development, several headwinds remain. Inflation, now at its highest since January 2024, and rising unemployment continue to weigh on sentiment. In addition, uncertainty surrounds the forthcoming autumn Budget and the potential for tax increases.

Despite August’s Overall Index Score of -17 marking the strongest reading of 2025 so far, Bellamy noted that confidence remains confined within a narrow range, with little indication of a decisive shift toward greater optimism. UK consumers, he said, remain in “wait-and-see” mode, and any unexpected developments could still trigger sharp changes in sentiment.

UK carpet manufacturing turnover declined in 2024

According to newly released data from the ONS, the value of carpets and rugs produced in the UK declined in 2024, with total sales dropping to £767.9 million, compared with £798.3 million in 2023. This 3.8% decrease marks the first downturn in three years, following a period of steady growth that saw turnover rise from £716.4 million in 2021 to £784.7 million in 2022, and then reach a record high in 2023.

While the 2024 figure remains well above the £587.6 million recorded in 2020, it may signal a return to more typical trading levels after the strong performance of the post-pandemic years. The decline could also reflect the broader economic difficulties faced by UK manufacturers during this time.

Company Directors - Identity Verification

From Tuesday 18 November, it will be a legal requirement for company directors to verify their identity with Companies House for each company that they are a director of, as part of the company’s next confirmation statement.

Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).