What have been the most significant developments in the industry in 2025?
The Tile Association (TTA) continues to find new ways to raise tile and tiling standards, from educating members about the latest developments in the British Standards and best practice through webinars now available online, to recently becoming a Trade Associate of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) to support CCPI’s goal to raise standards in construction product information and marketing. In addition, new Master Tile Fixers welcomed in 2025 support the certification scheme’s aim to help highly skilled tile fixer members to stand out from the crowd and promote best practice.
Sustainability is also a continuously developing field which TTA takes leadership on, guiding members to understand upcoming regulations and gathering information to help the industry make environmentally friendly improvements. This year, that includes developing case studies from across the industry to inspire you to take sustainable action, and encouraging engagement with resources such as the Supply Chain Sustainability School and responsible tile sourcing campaigns.
Following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire in London on 14 June 2017, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry identified that industry competence was a key issue to be tackled. This led to new legislation – the Building Safety Act 2022 and subsequent amendments – that imposes minimum requirements for those involved in building works, with a focus on improving competence to prevent future disasters. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report was published on 26 February 2025, as was the Government’s response, which accepted the findings. The Government is now taking action on all 58 recommendations. TTA’s Training Committee has been actively involved in the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) Routes to Competency project this year, which aims to set a clear pathway of how to attain and maintain occupational competency. TTA will continue to communicate ongoing developments and regulatory requirements with its members.
Are there any projects that you’ve been happy to have been a part of in 2025?
2025 has been a huge milestone in the history of TTA, marking the trade association’s 25th anniversary. As such, this year’s TTA Awards proudly reflected back on the hard work and progress accomplished since TTA was founded in 2000. Alison Bold of Tiles UK’s Outstanding Contribution Award was a timely reminder of her highly significant role in the history of the formation of TTA, steering the amalgamation of several tiling bodies – National Master Tile Fixers’ Association, the National Tile Association, the Tile Promotion Board and the British Ceramic Tile Council. As its first Chair, she was honoured for laying the cornerstone for TTA’s commitment to building excellence in production, tiling and the tiled environment.
This major anniversary has made it extra significant for TTA to launch the first ever National Tile Day this year, which now takes place annually on 8th September to celebrate tiles and the tiling industry across the UK. The industry stepped up with balloons and bunting, honouring the heritage and craftsmanship of tiles, and put tile trends and company stories in the spotlight on social media using #NationalTileDayUK. The event is supported by a webpage and assets at: www.tiles.org.uk/national-tile-day/
Events and exhibitions are some of the biggest highlights of the year for many, and so TTA wishes to thank everyone who has attended or supported TTA Awards, The Tiling Show, TTA Golf Day and TTA Christmas Lunch in 2025. TTA is also incredibly thankful for the generous support from ASCER (the Spanish ceramic tile trade association) for inviting TTA members to Cevisama, and Confindustria Ceramica (the Italian ceramic tile trade association) for inviting TTA members on an educational tour of tile factories and showrooms in addition to Cersaie.
TTA is proud to champion the floor and wall tiling industry through a three-pillar strategy of raising tiling standards, improving the value of membership, and promoting the benefit of tiles.
What has been the biggest challenge for the tiling industry in 2025?
Continued economic difficulties pose the biggest problem for tile businesses in 2025. While these challenges are much larger than the tile industry, they also have a big impact on what we do. It has been extremely unfortunate for everybody involved to see that several tile retailers and distributors have entered into administration during 2025.
As with any industry, substitute products continue to pose challenges. While for tiling, these products include LVT, wood and waterproof wall panelling to name a few, TTA continues to offer its support as an association to members in highlighting the advantages of tiles especially in the areas of design, durability and sustainability.
At the same time, forecasts of construction growth provide some hope for 2026, as does coming together as a united and resilient industry. These challenges remind us why it’s critical that TTA is able to assist members with a directory listing and use of logo, unlimited technical and training advice and support, advice helplines, and community events, in addition to working as the voice of the industry alongside government, training organisations and international trade associations.
What plans do you have for 2026?
TTA is laying out a vision for ‘Tiling the Future’ with the announcement of TTA Awards 2026. Entries are now open until 31 December 2025, offering the chance to prove your excellence by winning the biggest accolade available in the tiling industry. Ticket sales also open. More information is available at: www.tiles.org.uk/tta-awards/
TTA Awards 2026 would be impossible without the generous support of its Gold sponsors, which so far includes: BIHUI, Genesis Global Systems Ltd, Jackoboard, Mapei, Palace Chemicals, PCS, Shackerley (Holdings) Group Ltd and UltraTile. TTA would also like to thank Progress Profiles for sponsoring the Awards Afterparty and photobooth.
Sponsored by NoMorePly, The Tiling Show is also returning in 2026 following from the great success of 2025 as its biggest year yet. Needless to say, TTA is preparing huge plans; more information to be revealed.
Beyond this, TTA is continuously endeavouring to serve the industry with training and technical support, member benefits, representation of its interests, networking events and more. The voluntary work of TTA’s Board, Committee and Working Group members is essential to the progress it achieves on behalf of members, with 2026 being another opportunity to continue these vital efforts.
Kay Porter, CEO of The Tile Association (TTA)
0300 365 8453 • membership@tile.org.uk • www.tiles.org.uk
