Duncan is a strong advocate for developing the roofing industry, supporting contractor training and encouraging new talent into the sector.

Commercial Director at SIG Roofing, Duncan Winter, has been elected as chair of NFRC's Roofing Suppliers Group Committee. The announcement was made at a recent NFRC Board meeting, after committee members were invited to vote on the position of Chair and Vice Chair. Duncan, elected as Chair of the Committee, will be supported by Stuart Nicholson, Managing Director of Marley Ltd, who was elected as Vice Chair.

These appointments will be formalised in the Terms of Reference for the next RSG Committee Meeting, which will be held on Tuesday 15 September at NFRC’s offices in Central London.

As the Commercial Director at SIG Roofing, Duncan brings more than 20 years of experience across the UK roofing industry. His career began as a roofer, giving him first-hand practical knowledge of the trade before progressing into contractor training, sales, commercial leadership and business management. This hands-on background has helped shape his customer-focused and commercially driven approach.

The purpose of the NFRC Roofing Suppliers Group (RSG) is to provide strategic input and advice to the NFRC Board regarding the manufacture, distribution and supply of roofing products and materials. Members are derived from all roofing disciplines, and the Chair of the Committee holds a position on the Board of NFRC. The Committee meets quarterly and focuses on a wide range of industry issues, including but not limited to:

• Building safety legislation
• Sustainability
• Product regulation, testing, safety and quality
• Support for installer competency and skills

Before joining the SIG Roofing leadership team, Duncan spent many years with Flex-R, a specialist flat roofing business. He played a key role in the company's growth, progressing through a variety of leadership positions and helping to expand the business significantly following its acquisition by SIG. Alongside Flex-R, he has also directed specialist businesses including SIG Design & Technology, SR Timber and Industrial Roofing, broadening his expertise across multiple construction sectors.

As commercial director, Duncan is responsible for driving product strategy, supplier partnerships and commercial performance across SIG Roofing. He is passionate about bringing innovative roofing solutions to market while ensuring customers have access to the products, technical support and training they need. His focus is on simplifying the customer offer, strengthening relationships with manufacturers and helping branches provide complete roofing solutions across pitched, flat, insulation, roofline and renewable technologies.

Duncan is also a strong advocate for developing the roofing industry, supporting contractor training and encouraging new talent into the sector. Through his involvement with industry organisations, including the NFRC Roofing Suppliers Group, he works collaboratively to help address industry challenges and promote best practice across the roofing supply chain.

These new pathways help address the common issue felt across the trades — that finding skilled people is one of their biggest challenges.

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) welcomes the Prime Minister's announcement of the intention to establish new technical education pathways for 14-year-olds in England, while calling for further detail on how the plans will be delivered on the ground.

Allowing students in Year 10 to combine core academic subjects with technical education, work experience and employer contact from September 2028, responds directly to NFRC Member concerns that students are not given equal opportunity to explore a career in the trades.

NFRC's own research underlines the scale of the challenge. The latest State of the UK Roofing Industry report (Winter 2026) found that 47% of roofing contractors said recruiting skilled labour was harder than a year earlier, and 58% said skilled labour shortages were limiting the amount of work their business could take on. Just 2% of contractors thought it was currently easy to attract new workers to the industry.

Ruth Scarrott, NFRC head of careers, said:

Anything that gets roofing and construction in front of young people earlier, and treats technical education as equal to the academic route, is a step in the right direction. Our Members continually tell us that finding skilled people is one of their biggest challenges.

We do need to see more detail on how this will work in practice. There's a real opportunity here to build on established programmes, like Local Skills Improvement Plans, rather than creating something parallel that competes for the same employers' time and attention. 

It's also vital that schools are supported to work with smaller, local construction firms, not just the large national employers who tend to have dedicated resource for this kind of engagement. Most of our members are SMEs, and they're often the ones best placed to offer a young person a genuine route into the trade in their own community. But a small contractor with a handful of staff can't always give the same time to school visits and work placements that a large employer can, so any new system needs to make it straightforward and low-burden for them to get involved.

By The Coffee Shops™. 

The partnership between The Coffee Shops and the IFD creates space for global education, events and collaboration. 

Earlier this year, RoofersCoffeeShop® was proud to announce a partnership with the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). IFD serves as a unifying organization for the global roofing industry, bringing together national associations, manufacturers and service providers to address shared challenges and advance best practices. Its members include organizations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Zentralverband des Deutschen Dachdeckerhandwerks and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). 

Now, months since that announcement, the partnership remains strong and focused on fostering collaboration, education and innovation for roofing professionals around the world. This partnership has created a stronger connection between the North American roofing market and the international roofing community that has led to increased opportunities and resources for the industry on a whole.  

As part of the partnership agreement, RoofersCoffeeShop has been reporting on IFD initiatives and will have boots on the ground at global events like the Connection Forum in October 2026 in Vienna, Austria, and the Young Roofers WORLD Competition in October 2027 in Budapest, Hungary. In fact, for that Connection Forum, the Coffee Shops crew will not only be live streaming interviews and content, but they will also be presenting on industry trends, digital marketing and the growing importance of global connectivity within roofing. 

Gary Howes, one of IFD’s board members, put it best when he reflected on the partnership, sharing, “Partnering with RoofersCoffeeShop [was] an exciting step forward for IFD as we work to expand our global reach and impact... Together we are creating more opportunities for contractors, manufacturers and young professionals to connect, learn from one another and strengthen the future of the roofing industry on a truly international level.” 

By Emma Peterson. 

Gary Walpole discusses advocacy, legislation and the roofing industry. 

Roofing associations like National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) are critical to the success in advocating for the industry.  To learn more about how these associations unify the industry into one collective voice, we sat down with Gary Walpole of NFRC for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Gary has been a part of NFRC for a decade now and is currently their technical safety, health and environment officer. When we asked him how NFRC acts as an advocate for the roofing trade, he described the association’s strength as “bridging the gap between policy and practice.”  

What does that mean? Gary explained:  

If you think about health and safety regulations, legislation always gets updated. A great example is the Safety at Work Act, which came in in 1974 and has since become an overarching act with other legislation included in it. And every time that act changed, it was something Parliament wrote and approved. What NFRC does is make sure that the reality of how a change will impact contractors stays in the approval conversation.  

How exactly is NFRC’s team able to do this? Their officers, like Gary, have backgrounds in the field. For example, Gary has been in the industry as a tradesperson since he left school, with a specialisation in flat roofing. His colleague Bob Richardson, NFRC’s head of technical and training, comes from a sheathing and cladding background. By combining their backgrounds in the trade with their current jobs as advocates and researchers, NFRC’s team can make sure that legislators making changes in Parliament hear and truly understand how what they’re doing impacts contractors everywhere.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording of the interview to learn more about how NFRC bridges the gap between policy and practice. 

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Scottish roofing contractor Bain & Irvine celebrates a milestone that reflects generations of dedication to preserving historic structures. 

In the article "Bain & Irvine Marks 80 Years in Scotland’s Heritage Roofing Sector," Bain & Irvine reflects on eight decades of craftsmanship, growth and preservation of some of Scotland’s most significant historic buildings. Founded in 1946 by George Irvine and Jimmy Bain, the company has evolved from a small local roofing contractor into one of Scotland’s most respected specialists in heritage roofing and restoration. 

Established in the years following World War II, Bain & Irvine built its reputation on delivering high-quality roofing services while preserving Scotland’s architectural heritage. Over the decades, the company has contributed to the restoration of notable landmarks including Fettes College and Donaldson’s School, earning industry recognition and multiple National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) awards along the way. 

The article traces several key milestones in the company's history, including the acquisition of Bain & Irvine by fourth-generation slater Andrew Millar in 1974. Under his leadership, the company modernized while maintaining its commitment to traditional craftsmanship. Another pivotal moment came in 1987 when Graeme Millar joined the business and helped expand operations significantly, growing the workforce and strengthening the company's presence throughout the United Kingdom. 

Graeme Millar’s involvement in industry organizations, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors and the Institute of Roofing, further elevated Bain & Irvine’s profile. His leadership eventually extended to the international stage, serving as president of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade from 2019 to 2024. 

The article also highlights the company's most recent chapter. In 2024, Jamie Anderson and Brian McIntyre joined Bain & Irvine following the merger of their company, Newtown Roofing & Building, with the historic contractor. Their leadership, combined with Bain & Irvine’s acquisition by The Durable Slate Company, positions the organization for continued growth while preserving its long-standing values. 

Reflecting on the milestone, company leaders emphasized that while tools, technology and business structures may change, the principles of quality workmanship, employee care and customer service remain central to Bain & Irvine’s success. 

Read the full article to learn more about Bain & Irvine’s 80-year journey and its ongoing commitment to preserving Scotland’s roofing heritage.

The achievement of winning back-to-back is extraordinary, but three NFRC Scottish Members have done just that between 2024-2026.

The NFRC Roofing Awards are a standout name in the roofing industry, with annual events held in Scotland and London each year, and whilst the Scottish awards are dedicated solely to roofing work in Scotland, some contractors have celebrated victory at both awards, and in quick succession.

All winners of the Scottish Roofing Awards, typically held in October, automatically qualify for entry to the national U.K. Roofing Awards, which take place the following Spring. The achievement of winning back-to-back is extraordinary, but three NFRC Scottish Members have done just that between 2024-2026, with many more being recognised in the national final over the years.

“We have an incredible response to the Scottish Roofing Awards every year but knowing that our Members’ projects then go on to be victorious on a greater scale at national level is really something special, and a very big incentive to put your entry forward for the Scottish Awards.” says Scott Miller, chairman of NFRC Scotland.

Back-to-back winners:

• Marley Contract Services with their project, Social Housing, North Ayrshire (Solar, 2024-2025)
• Aim Developments Ltd with their project, Robin House (Single Ply, 2025-2026)
• Premier Specialist Roofing Contractors Ltd with their project, Kings Theatre (Leadwork, 2025-2026)

“The event has grown year on year, and we now welcome entries to all major roofing disciplines of any size and budget. If you’ve not considered entering already, I strongly encourage you to do so. You could be claiming victory for Scotland at the next U.K. Roofing Awards, and wouldn’t that be something!” continued Scott.

“Making an entry for an award alone gives a chance for a contractor to pause and look back at a project. It allows recognition for the skills, craftsmanship and teamwork within their organisation to make a job excellent. For those who make it through to be a finalist or go on to win, it’s a great industry accolade to pin to your company."

Entries for the Scottish Roofing Awards are now open until 31 July 2026.

The ceremony takes place on 30 October at Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.

Members can submit their project using this link: https://bit.ly/SCOTRA26

About NFRC

NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) is the UK’s largest trade association for the roofing and cladding industry, with over 1,350 Members, representing the entire roofing supply chain from contractors to merchants to manufacturers.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Traditional slate craftsmanship and master leadwork are preserving one of Britain's most iconic landmarks for generations to come. 

For most visitors to London, Admiralty Arch is recognized as the grand ceremonial gateway linking Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square. For more than a century, the landmark has stood at the heart of royal processions, historic celebrations and national events.  

Originally commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria, Admiralty Arch was completed in 1912 and designed by renowned architect Sir Aston Webb. After serving as a government building for decades, the Grade I-listed structure is being transformed into a luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel while preserving a defining part of London's skyline. 

During this transformation, the restoration team has worked carefully to honor the building's architectural heritage while adapting it for a new generation of guests. And while much of the public attention has focused on the luxury hotel and residences taking shape behind the landmark façade, we wanted to take some time to learn about one of the project’s most remarkable elements: The restoration happening on the roof. 

During a special visit arranged by National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) member EWN Lead Work Specialists, who is helping lead the project, industry leaders from the National Slate Association (NSA), the Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America (SRCA) and RoofersCoffeeShop® received an exclusive look at the conservation work taking place high above one of London's most recognizable landmarks. The roof is rarely accessible to the public, making the opportunity especially significant for roofing professionals passionate about preservation and craftsmanship. 

What makes the roofing restoration particularly impressive is the commitment to traditional methods and materials. According to project information shared during the roof tour, the restoration includes the installation of Westmorland green slate using a historic diminishing-course pattern. This traditional approach places larger slates at the lower sections of the roof and progressively smaller slates toward the ridge, reflecting techniques used on many of Britain's most significant heritage structures. 

The slate installation is only one part of the story. The project also involves extensive leadwork restoration across numerous architectural features, including dormers, bays, cornices and complex roof details. Thousands of individually crafted lead components are being fabricated and installed to replicate historic profiles while providing long-term weather protection. Also of note is the extensive low-slope roofing using modified bitumen granule felts. The result is a roof system that maintains the building’s original appearance while serving modern performance expectations. 

Helping lead that effort is EWN Lead Work Specialists Ltd., a company that has built its reputation on heritage leadwork and conservation projects. Founded by Elliot Newman in 2008, the company specializes exclusively in leadwork and has contributed to some of the United Kingdom's most important historic structures, including the Tower of London, Canterbury Cathedral, Somerset House and Lincoln's Inn. That level of expertise makes EWN a natural fit for a landmark as significant as Admiralty Arch. 

The project serves as a powerful reminder that roofing is often one of the most critical aspects of historic preservation. While visitors admire stonework, sculptures and grand interiors, the roof is what ultimately protects those investments. In this case, the roof will also be used for rooftop activities, creating new spaces for hotel guests. Preserving a building of this scale requires professionals who understand not only modern roofing performance but also centuries-old installation techniques and conservation principles. The tradespeople working on Admiralty Arch are carrying forward skills that have been passed down through generations. 

The restoration also highlights the growing importance of adaptive reuse projects around the world. Rather than allowing historic structures to deteriorate or lose their identity, owners and developers are investing in restorations that preserve architectural heritage while creating economically viable futures. At Admiralty Arch, that vision includes transforming a former government building into a world-class hospitality destination while retaining the character that has made it a London icon for more than 100 years. 

When guests begin arriving at the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, many will be captivated by its history, luxury accommodation and unrivaled location across from Buckingham Palace. Few will realize the extraordinary level of roofing craftsmanship protecting the structure from above. Yet for roofing professionals, that work may be the most inspiring aspect of the entire transformation. 

The restoration of Admiralty Arch demonstrates what is possible when heritage preservation, skilled craftsmanship and modern construction expertise come together. Through traditional slate roofing, master-level leadwork, flat roofing expertise and a deep respect for history, roofing professionals are helping ensure that one of Britain’s most cherished landmarks remains a symbol of excellence for generations to come. 

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at how NFRC is driving higher standards across the industry through a variety of campaigns and partnerships.  

With a legacy that dates back to 1892 and a membership that includes over 1,500 roofing companies, National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is one of the largest roofing trade associations in the U.K., and they do not take the importance of their influence lightly. NFRC is dedicated to raising standards and professionalising their members as to better the broader roofing sector. They do this in many ways, including running internal education campaigns and partnering with other organisations to support their initiatives.  

NFRC campaigns 

• Safe2Torch: Across the U.K., 50% of flat roofs are installed with gas torches. And unfortunately, with the use of gas torches comes risks and safety concerns. Launched in July of 2017, this campaign aims to “significantly reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches, either to dry out roofs or when used to install torch-on membranes.” 
• Cut the Dust: Cutting roof tiles releases a dust called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that has been linked to serious medical conditions like lung cancer, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This campaign aims to raise awareness of this issue and to champion solutions such as water suppression, RPE and other respiratory safety practices.  
• Blue Roofs Guidance: NFRC has released a technical guide with the goal of helping specifiers, designers and installers build effective Blue Roofs (roofs that offer elevated control of rain fall during heavy storm events). Not only does this type of design help protect the roof itself, but it also relieves stress on sewer waterways and keeps river ecosystems cleaner.  
• Don't Fall for Fragile: This is the NFRC’s newest campaign and it aims to raise awareness of fragile roof risks. In general, the roofing industry has made leaps and bounds in preventing falls from heights. The next step is to reduce the number of fragile roof injuries by identifying issues early, planning work accordingly and avoiding unsafe shortcuts.  

Collaborations with other organisations 

• Bat Awareness for the Roofing Industry: This partnership between NFRC and Bat Conservation Trust focuses on improving awareness and understanding of bat protection in the built environment. Through the program, roofing professionals are offered practical guidance for working in areas where bats or bat roosts may be present and education related to the importance of balancing essential roofing work with biodiversity considerations.  
• Breathe Freely: This campaign is led by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) and aims to reduce occupationally caused lung disease in the U.K. NFRC has partnered with them in this campaign as it directly impacts their members, “In 2015, approximately 3,500 [construction workers] died from cancer caused by past exposures to asbestos, 500 more from silica dust and 5,500 were diagnosed with occupational cancer.” 
• Building People: This organisation, which is endorsed by the Construction Leadership Council, helps connect employers with “the UK’s most diverse built environment talent pipeline.” Not only does this make it easier for jobseekers to start building careers, but it also helps widen talent pools and develop a more diverse workforce.  
• Driving for Better Business: For this campaign, NFRC is partnering with National Highways and their Driving for Better Business (DfBB) programme to connect professionals with resources to help them reduce “work-related road risk, control the associated costs, and improve compliance with current legislation and guidance.” 
• Mates In Mind: This campaign, established by the Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), focuses on giving workers in the U.K. with mental support. This is a crucial issue, as research suggests that 350,000 people in construction are suffering from depression, anxiety or stress at any one time. NFRC is not only backing this campaign, but they are also a member of the HCLG and actively helping HCLG work towards their goal of eradicating ill health and disease caused by worksite exposure. 
• No Time to Lose: IOSH, the chartered body for health and safety professionals, runs this campaign to raise awareness and support change in relation to carcinogenic exposure. NFRC has pledged their support and are actively working to help their members and others in the roofing sector raise awareness and take action.  

Learn more about NFRC and the ways they support and uplift the roofing trade through campaigns.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

The Scottish roofing contractor is celebrating eight decades in business and National Federation of Roofing Contractors Craft Roofer status. 

Bain & Irvine is celebrating 80 years in business with a renewed focus on the heritage craftsmanship that has shaped the company since 1946. Founded after World War II by George Irvine and Jimmy Bain, the company began as a small roofing operation built around dependable service and high-quality historic roofing work across Scotland. Eight decades later, five generations of roofers have contributed to that legacy, helping preserve historic architecture across Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond. 

This milestone comes as the company also retained its status on the National Heritage Roofing Contractors Register through the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). 

Bain and Irvine said the recognition reflects a responsibility it takes seriously. The company is one of only three roofing businesses in Scotland to currently hold this specific approval, continuing a legacy that has included work on regional landmarks such as Fettes College and Donaldson’s School, as well as several NFRC Awards. 

The company has also entered a new phase of growth. Under the guidance of Jamie Anderson, Bain & Irvine recently expanded by merging with the team at Newtown Roofing, a move the company said connects its historic roots with a modern approach to customer care and project management. 

That growth has been paired with an international partnership designed to strengthen long-term heritage support for clients. As Bain & Irvine looks ahead, the company says its foundation remains rooted in traditional Scottish craftsmanship while its future includes broader resources, improved project management and a growing team. As Jamie said, “The tools and the times might change, but the core of the job is the same as it was in 1946 — honest, hard work, looking after the team and delivering quality that stands the test of time.” 

Learn more about Bain and Irvine’s 80-year legacy and heritage roofing work!

By Emma Peterson. 

How NFRC is raising awareness of long-term, less visible safety risks in roofing. 

Over the years, our understanding of safety practices in the roofing trade has grown exponentially. There was a time not too long ago where something as simple as earplugs on a jobsite were much less commonly used. What changed? Our understanding that not all danger is visible. To learn more about handling safety issues when the threat is not visible, we sat down with Gary Walpole from National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

In the industry, the easy to address safety risks are the ones that are immediate and visible. Think slipping and twisting your ankle because you don’t have the correct type of boots on. But the harder to spot issues are the ones that are invisible, or don’t become visible until years down the road. Gary explained:  

We’re good at recognizing causation damage – you did xyz wrong and now you’re hurt. But there are things like silica dust exposure that have a much longer timeline. And so, it feels less serious; people don’t respect the risk as much and then suddenly our aging workforce has lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory issues. 

Working to raise awareness and respect for these less visible safety risks is something that NFRC is very passionate about. In fact, going back to Gary’s example of silica dust, NFRC has a campaign called Cut the Dust that is entirely focused on helping roofing professionals mitigate this issue. In this campaign, they not only highlight the health risks that come with inhaling silica dust (which is often produced on jobsites when cutting concrete roof tiles), but also ways to mitigate the risks. These strategies include:  

• Design for the fewest cuts needed 
• Have a dedicated cutting area 
• Vacuum up the dust rather than sweeping 
• Use water suppression to keep dust down 
• Require proper PPE (personal protective equipment)  

All of these strategies require dedication from leaders on jobsites and within their companies. Gary explained, “If the operatives see the leadership within the company don't care then obviously that breeds a poor culture. And mitigating widespread safety issues like this is all about cultural change.” 

If you are interested in being a part of the change, NFRC provides a variety of resources, like posters, toolbox talks and more that can help you take responsibility and make change on your jobsite.  

Want to learn more about safety in the roofing sector? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording.