A BUILDER from Pembrokeshire is going for gold, after making it to the final 10 of the 2024 Screwfix Top Tradesperson award.

Chris James, 37, from Solva near Haverfordwest, has been working as a builder for 15 years. Now he will go head-to-head with nine other finalists from across the UK and Ireland.

Beating off fierce competition from more than 1,000 applications, Chris impressed the judges during the semi-final interviews with his sheer passion for the trade, dedication, and commitment to supporting future talent.

Highlighting his commitment to the wider community, Chris’s company, Kingsmere Carpentry and Construction, has raised more than £50,000 for the charity, Farms for City Children, which enables children from disadvantaged communities to experience the adventure of working together on farms in the countryside. He also recently fitted a defibrillator outside a local shop and is keen to complete more installations across the region.

Looking forward, Chris is eager to invest in further training opportunities for his employees and broaden his own skillset by learning the basics of electrics. He also hopes to see a bigger push from the education system to promote apprenticeships within the trade to encourage more young people to consider a career in the industry.

In addition to his enthusiasm for the future of the trade, Chris is committed to working sustainably. One way his company does this is by managing waste responsibly by using excess wood to fuel fires. In the future, he would like to invest in a new fleet of electric or hybrid vehicles.

Having earned his place in the final, Chris will be hoping to take home the coveted title, along with an ultimate trade bundle of tech, tools and training worth £20,0000. The winner will also join the likes of Astrid Arnold, a Devon-based carpenter who was awarded the accolade in 2023, in the Screwfix Top Tradesperson Hall of Fame.

Marking the 15th year of the award, the final of this year’s Screwfix Top Tradesperson will take place at Screwfix LIVE on Friday September 27, where a panel of industry experts will put Chris and the other finalists through their paces before selecting this year’s overall champion.

The panel includes representatives from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), and reigning champion, Astrid Arnold.

Reflecting on his success so far, Chris comments: “I’m over the moon to have made it to the final of the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024. This award is not just about winning; it's about celebrating the hard work and dedication that goes into our trade. I’m proud to represent Pembrokeshire and all builders out there and look forward to the final stage of the competition and meeting the other finalists.”

To find out more about Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024, visit screwfix.com/stt