FIT Show Master Fitter challenge finalists announced

Through a process that included interviews, site visits and a great deal of deliberation among some of the UK’s most experienced assessors, six finalists have been chosen to compete for the honour of winning this year’s Master Fitter Challenge, sponsored by Fensa.

This year’s finalists are: David Keates and Jonathon Mountford of DK Windows Stoke on Trent; David Shaw and Nathan Daw, Shaw Home Improvements Wisbech; Steve Claxton and Rob Jones, The Window Company Chelmsford; Mark West and Mark Hardy representing Sherborne Windows Farnborough; Dale Harrison and Colin Stubbs, West Yorkshire Windows; and Richard Dombrowski of CG Maintenance, Newport.

Taking place during the FIT Show on the largest and most challenging Competition Pavilion yet, and at the NEC for the first time, the six teams will go head to head to install a casement window (sponsored and supplied by Epwin Group as part of its Excellence as Standard campaign), and a residential door (sponsored and supplied by Apeer Doors).

Additionally, and for the first time, finalists will be asked to install a bifolding door (sponsored and supplied by Aluk); and a roof lantern (sponsored and supplied by Atlas). Competitors will also be asked to install using Trufit pre-compressed sealing tape (supplied by Edgetech in association with Glazpart).

The six teams will compete for total prize money of £10,000 in addition to trophies for each of the four disciplines and overall first, second and third places. Prize money for the winner is a cheque for £5,000.

Andy Carrington of event managers GQA Qualifications said: “Each of these finalists is driven by pride in their work and the kudos of being seen to be the best among those competing. Our assessors were again impressed by the standard of skills and professionalism displayed by all entrants during the site visits, and we look forward to seeing the successful finalists displaying high standards during the final.”

After competing during the first two days of the FIT Show, finalists will attend the FIT Show gala dinner on the Wednesday evening as guests of the FIT Show, at which they will learn their fate.

“This is such an exciting part of the FIT Show,” said Paul Godwin for the organisers. “Anyone that has visited this competition at the FIT Show in the past will have felt the tension as these people demonstrate their fitting skills, but against five other teams and with an audience too. It’s extraordinary and I urge everyone to come and watch and cheer the competitors on.”