TTA Awards are all about celebrating the successes of the past year in the tiling industry – and looking forward to the future.
The 2023 Awards returned to the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, a special venue which reflects the special occasion.
This year’s awards were held under the theme of “Shaping the Future” to reflect TTA’s ongoing modernisation and leadership of the industry.
The evening was hosted by Mike Bushell, who performed his duties as host flawlessly, briefly discussing his experiences as a host on BBC Breakfast TV. Bushell was also great at engaging with the audience – playing a game in which the audience would have to guess whether a bizarre sport was real or made up.
TTA would like to express thanks to this year’s 16 Gold sponsors. The record number of sponsors highlights how our industry is thriving, with the awards a symbol of TTA’s continued strength and growth.
Without the support of our sponsors, who are all outstanding brands from within our industry, this fantastic event and much of TTA’s work throughout the year would not be possible.
So thank you to all of this year’s Gold sponsors: Amber Underfloor Heating, Banks & Lloyd Ltd, BIHUI, Genesis Global Systems, JACKOBOARD, Mapei (UK), Palace Chemicals, Polyfab Coatings & Systems (PCS), Shackerley (Holdings) Group, STS, Tile Mountain, Topps Tiles, UltraTile (Instarmac Group), Verona Group, W.B. Simpson & Sons and Weber.
TTA would also like to thank everyone who participated in the public vote; your involvement and that element of public participation continues to bring another level of excitement to TTA Awards.
TTA chair, Paul Luff, discussed the Awards evening, stating:
“This year’s awards evening was once again a night to remember. Our theme of ‘Shaping the Future’ combined a celebration of everything that is great about our industry with our vision for the future”.
“I especially want to thank everyone who attended the Tiling Show, which I am delighted to say has now established itself as an essential and enjoyable fixture in the industry’s annual calendar”.
“Congratulations to all the Award winners, as well as those who were ‘Highly Commended’. On behalf of TTA, I express our thanks to the judges, sponsors and everyone involved in making TTA Awards a continuing success”.
“I was particularly delighted to be able to welcome back our colleagues from Ascer, representing the Spanish Tile Manufacturers, as well as welcoming our colleagues from Confindustria Ceramica, who represent the Italian Tile Manufacturers. It is very rewarding to be able to showcase our developing relations with the trade associations of the tile producing countries at TTA Awards each year”.
“TTA were proud to have raised over £14,000 for Children Today. We were pleased to raise such a great amount for our chosen charity. This was a fantastic achievement that goes towards an important cause”.
TTA would once again like to congratulate all the Award winners this year. Winning a TTA Award is the biggest accolade available in the tiling industry, and being shortlisted also brings impressive kudos to your business.
The full roll of honour is as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award Winner 2023 – Billy Valler
Billy Valler has been on TTA’s Technical Committee since March 2009, where his work has included involvement in many of TTA’s technical documents, and he is also a member of TTA’s Technical Inspection team. He joined TTA board in 2012. Valler was also involved with the National Master Tile Fixers Association (NMTFA), one of two organisations which merged in 1999 to form The Tile Association. He still keeps with pride his NMTFA membership card – No. 001, as the first-ever registered tile fixer member.
Speaking about the Lifetime Achievement Award, Valler says: “I am very flattered to have been chosen for this award. It means an enormous amount to me, and I accept it on behalf of my team. So I am delighted that Matthew Sinkinson of W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midland) Ltd also won the Trainee Tile Fixer of the Year Award and that we won the Award for Best Commercial Project (Small) for 1-2 Babmaes Street.”
“I valued the fact that a high profile was given to issues of sustainability throughout the event. I think this is really important.”
“I think one of the impressive things about this year’s event was that it clearly showed how TTA represents the whole industry, with an excellent balance between suppliers and installers present during the evening.”
Employee of the Year Winner 2023 – Martyn Spring, Topps Tiles
Martyn is the Store Manager of Topps Tiles Solihull Superstore and has worked for Topps for over 10 years. He has worked his way through the ranks from service specialist to deputy and then store manager. He has not only had another record sales and profit year, eclipsing his 2021 efforts, but has also contributed to a wide selection of projects across the business.
Tile Fixer of the Year Winner 2023 – David Westwood, Westwoods Tiling
David has progressed his tiling career from strength to strength. In 2022, he obtained 3 TTA Technical Masterclass certificates and attended numerous training sessions.
Trainee Tile Fixer of the Year Winner 2023 – Matthew Sinkinson, W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands)
Matthew joined W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) in 2021. He is studying at South and City College, Birmingham. He has quickly shown he is a keen learner, with the right attitude to soak up the knowledge of the experienced fixers he has been working with.
Initially working with his dad – a tiler with W.B. Simpson & Sons (Midlands) for nearly 18 years, Matthew is now working alongside other senior tilers expanding his knowledge of tiling practices and is representing the company on some prestigious projects.
Best Commercial Project (Small) Winner 2023 – Babmaes Street, London, W.B. Simpson & Sons
The results of this project are stunning, with the offices of 1-2 Babmaes Street transformed with the elegance and glamour that would be expected of a building in the heart of London.
Highly Commended in Best Commercial Project (Small) Winner 2023 – East Quay, Watchet, Somerset, Schlüter-Sytems
East Quay is a stunning building situated in Watchet, Somerset. The various accommodation pods each have their own distinctive theme, but all share their use of reliable waterproofing and wetroom systems by Schlüter-Systems.
Best Commercial Project (Large) Winners 2023 – RAK Ceramics Design Hub, London, Stortford Tiling & Marble
Stortford Tiling and Marble was the chosen contractor for the installation at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub, ahead of its opening in London in May 2022. The total tiled area consisted of more than 1,000sqm, over 600sqm of which is floor area.
Highly Commended in Best Commercial Project (Large) Winner 2023 – Welcome Break Services, Fernwood, Nottinghamshire, Palace Chemicals
Liverpool-based Palace Chemicals promptly delivered its ever-popular Multi-Flex tile adhesive for the UK’s second largest motorway services operation.
Best Heritage Project Winner 2023 – Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Newcastle Upon Tyne, W Rodgerson & Sons
The new font at St Thomas the Martyr Church is the first fully immersive font in the Diocese of Newcastle Upon Tyne. It has been designed to be both prominent, but flexible, so it is entirely set at floor level.
Best Domestic Project Winner 2023 – Bathroom and Steam Room Project, Pro-Tilers UK Wall & Floor
The works carried out on these bathrooms and pool areas used various tiles sizes. The ensuite consists of a steam room shower with tiled ceiling, relaxation benches at the rear of the shower, a fully tiled bath area and a bespoke custom-made sink unit.
Highly Commended in Best Domestic Project 2023 – Brushed Brass Domestic Installation, Genesis Global Systems
Genesis Global Systems is proud to present this exemplary domestic installation finished to the highest standard thanks in equal part to perfect preparation before the project, premium materials used and installer skill and experience.
Best Innovation Winner 2023 – Repair Adhesive, Fix-A-Floor UK
Fix-A-Floor is a revolutionary repair product for use on loose or hollow floor tiles without the need to remove or replace them. This ingenious adhesive repairs loose and hollow tiled floors from underneath and has established itself in the market as the perfect option and a life-saver where the expense and hassle of removing and replacing is not an option.
Highly Commended in Best Innovation 2023 – BAL XL Floor One, Building Adhesives Ltd
Following feedback from fixers about the need for an easy-to-use floor adhesive that gives more time to move and install extra-large format floor tiles and panels – yet still grout immediately at the start of the next day – BAL set to work formulating a new semi-rapid thick-bed floor adhesive with advanced properties.
Best Environmental Initiative Winner 2023 – UltraTile
In 2023, UltraTile committed to partner with Planet Mark to help identify and measure its carbon emissions. Working with Planet Mark using accurate and qualified data, UltraTile has been able to identify and measure its carbon footprint across Scopes 1 and 2. The company is now actively working towards Scope 3.
Highly Commended in Best Environmental Initiative 2023 – Topps Tiles
Regenr8 is a range of single-part, flexible standard and rapid setting adhesive for wall and floor tiles. Not only is it a premium quality adhesive, fit for any tiling project, it’s also specially formulated from Topps Tiles’ in-house developed composition of recycled waste materials which replaces natural extracted sand.
Best E-Commerce Website/App Winner 2023 – Pro Tiler Tools
Pro Tiler Tools is one of the leading tiling tool and material suppliers in the UK, with an easy-to-use website offering 4,000+ products with most available for next day delivery and an industry-leading dispatch cut off of 6pm.
Excellence in Marketing Winner 2023 – Topps Tiles
The campaign comprised of three digital approaches, display and generic GIF banner ads and three YouTube adverts. The campaign created a total of 43.1 million impressions, 58.9 thousand clicks to the Topps Tiles website and generated over 42 thousand sessions in a 60-day period.
Excellence in Retail Winner 2023 – Surrey Tiles and Bathrooms
Visitors to Surrey Tiles & Bathrooms find a comprehensive experience that offers everything they need to plan, design and shop for exceptional tile design, alongside a comprehensive bathroom offering.
Excellence in Supply & Services Winner 2023 – UltraTile
July 2022 and November 2022 were both record sales months for the business. November’s monthly sales were just short of £8.2m, with UltraTile contributing 36.5%. Providing world-class performance in manufacturing and distribution is key for UltraTile, and the company is delighted to declare that its customer management measured overall at 97.5%. 4
Wall Tile of the Year Winner 2023 – Nature’s Way, Walls and Floors
Manufactured in high quality white body ceramic, this product allows for use in wet areas or alternatively 3D structures and work surfaces to provide an easy clean hygienic solution.
Floor Tile of the Year Winner 2023 – Vibes, East Midlands Ceramics
With advances in digital porcelain tile technology, the line between true natural aesthetics and carefully crafted digital design has become finer over time. The Vibes collection is no exception to this, with its calming, neutral and authentic stone effect.
Excellence in Tile Contracting Winner 2023 – Harper & Edwards
Campari Group UK was the job that had everything! From bespoke marble floor leading to the “secret” Quindici bar to porcelain tiling to main reception with a glass floor section.
