Steve Bartin, from Taunton, has been crowned the 2018 UK Plumber of the Year, in the nationwide competition run by JT, Bristan and Wolseley UK.
The 2018 competition saw hundreds of plumbers enter from all over the country, receiving a record number of applications, with Steve taking the crown and his part of a £10,000 prize pot.
A judging panel made up of experts from JT, Bristan, Wolseley UK and WaterSafe shortlisted three plumbers in each region across the UK (North England, South England, Midlands and West, London, Wales and Scotland) based on their skills, qualifications and experience. The lucky 18 then went head-to-head to win public votes where the six individuals with the highest number of votes went through to the final stage.
In the final stage, which involved a 30-minute interview with the judging panel at Bristan HQ in Tamworth, Steve managed to impress the judges with his qualifications, his experience and his views on the future of the industry.
Steve has been in the industry since he left school 23 years ago. He started his working life as an apprentice, and is now offering a helping hand to the next generation and advocates apprenticeships having already supported three young adults on the scheme.
Plug and Chain, Steve’s Taunton-based business, specialises in the design, supply and installation of bathrooms; from changing a tap washer, to plumbing a full heating system.
Along with his title as UK Plumber of the Year for 2018, Steve also wins his share of the huge prize pot which includes JT, Bristan and Wolseley UK products, plus prizes from Proper Job Beer, Rothenberger, Job Man Workwear, BigWipes and HomeBoost.
Now in its fourth year, the competition called on plumbers nationwide to enter in a bid to be crowned Britain’s finest. The competition takes place over the course of six months and is designed to reward and recognise the remarkable talents within the UK’s plumbing industry and asks entrants to demonstrate their plumbing, service and business skills.
The regional winners and other finalists in the competition were:
Speaking of his win, Steve said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the competition, it’s an honour to call myself the UK Plumber of the Year. I’ve been in the industry for 23 years and I feel like all those extra hours and dedication have paid off. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me in the second stage of the competition and if anyone needs an award-winning plumber in Somerset, you know where I am!”
John Schofield, Sales and Marketing Director at JT, added: “We’d all like to congratulate Steve on his win – it was well deserved. The standard of the competition rises each year, so he should be really proud of himself as all of the finalists were extremely impressive.
“On behalf of JT, Bristan, Wolseley UK and WaterSafe, I’d like to thank everyone that entered and say well done to all the finalists. We’re looking forward to seeing what the 2019 competition has to offer!”
(left to right) Phil Viner (Wolseley UK), Simon Mepsted (Bristan), Steve Bartin (2018 UK Plumber of the Year), Chris Sneath MBE (WaterSafe), John Schofield (JT)
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