From UK Roofing Awards to International Success–NFRC Members Recognised at IFD Awards

On Friday 24 October, NFRC Director of Membership, Richard Miller, attended the ceremony, held at Sheraton Bratislava Hotel, Slovakia to cheer for NFRC Members representing the UK in two categories; flat roofing and pitched roofing. 

This follows the success of each project winning their respective categories earlier this year at the UK Roofing Awards. 

Representing the UK were Nigel Smith of Claude N Smith, and Blake Jones and Scott Goodwin of Central Group. 

NFRC is delighted to announce that Claude N Smith was awarded winner of the Pitched Roofing Category with their project Christ’s College, Cambridge, whilst Central Group were awarded second place in the Flat Roofing Category with their project, Center Parcs, Whinfell Forest. 

“This is a tremendous achievement by our members, and I am absolutely thrilled for the teams behind Claude N Smith and Central Group. 

“To win the UK Roofing Awards is significant given the quality of entries and the high level of workmanship we know is in the UK roofing sector, but to go against international teams and standards, and be successful, is astounding,” said Richard Miller. 

Remarkably, the slates used for the Christ’s College project were also produced by Claude N Smith from their mine in the Northamptonshire village of Collyweston, which was opened in 2016 and continues to be the only working Collyweston stone slate mine in the world, sustainably producing around 1000 sqm of slate per year; slates that can be found as far as Long Island, New York. 

“That’s what makes this achievement so special,” said Richard. 

Entries at the IFD Awards are submitted from companies across the world, including the USA and many parts of Europe where roofing standards and quality are often entirely different to that of the UK. 

Christ’s College and Whinfell Forest were nominated by NFRC having achieved top marks in front of judges at the UK Roofing Awards. 

Bob Richardson, Head of Technical and Training at NFRC and Head Judge of the UK Roofing Awards went on to say, “We’re extremely familiar with the expectations of IFD competitions and what it takes to stand out against the best of the best from across the world, particularly given the technical differences and intricacies. 

“This shows that the quality we achieve right here in the UK, not only in terms of workmanship but the materials themselves, is something we can all be proud of across the sector, and I commend Claude N Smith and Central Group for this fantastic accolade.” 

The next UK Roofing Awards will be held in May 2026, and winners of the awards will be eligible for nomination at the worldwide IFD competition later in the year. Details of how to enter the UK Roofing Awards will be announced by NFRC soon but companies are encouraged to document their projects throughout the year to ensure they are well prepared.  

Richardson says: "The difference between a shortlisted entry and a winning entry really does come down to the finest of details. Judges need to understand the whole project in all its complexity and documenting this whilst carrying out the works is far easier than trying to recall the details later down the line.”  

He then goes on to explain the importance of images throughout the project.  

“We receive hundreds of images of projects upon completion, which are great, but they don’t tell the whole story. A picture really does say a thousand words. Taking photos of detailing, materials, obstacles, observations, and generally the project throughout from day one to completion can make the difference to the judges”.