The UK Flooring Podcast

Tom is joined by Marie Callens, co-founder of Floorify, for a live conversation at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate. They discuss what helps flooring retailers sell, from choosing the right brands to creating displays that support the conversation with customers. Marie explains how Floorify built its business through a selective network of independent flooring speciali...

Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Tom is joined by Simon Jenkins and Steve Lane from F. Ball to discuss getting subfloor preparation right and avoiding costly problems on site. From unexpected moisture to using the wrong primer, Simon and Steve explain why a successful installation starts with understanding what’s underneath the floor. They discuss the...

Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Steve Jones, founder of BillyBot, joins The UK Flooring Podcast to discuss how AI could reduce the admin involved in running a flooring business. After building his own commercial flooring company, Steve began developing an AI assistant around problems he had experienced first hand. He explains why quoting became the s...

Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Eamonn Prescott, Chief Executive of Greendale Carpets & Flooring, joins The UK Flooring Podcast to discuss what buying groups actually offer independent retailers. Better buying prices are part of the appeal, but Eamonn explains why the benefits can go further. From own-label ranges and stockholding to customer ser...

Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Martyn Cohen of Cockerill & Co takes a practical look at selling a flooring business, what buyers look for and why preparation should start well before you’re ready to leave. Valuing a business might sound as simple as multiplying its annual profit, but Martyn explains why the reality is more complicated. If the ow...

Recorded live at the Flooring Forum during The Flooring Show 2026 in Harrogate, Tom is joined by business consultant Ben Wain to tackle a question facing independent retailers: are flooring shops dead? Ben’s answer is no, but the way customers shop has changed. People are researching online before visiting, and retailers need to think about the whole customer experience, from their first video to...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Jason Hill, co-owner of South Coast Floors and founder of PlanIt Flooring. After more than 25 years working in technology and start-up businesses, Jason thought he was leaving the tech world behind when he joined a flooring company in Southampton. Instead, he found an industry still heavily reliant on pads, pens, PDF price lists and kn...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom visits the F. Ball Centre of Excellence to speak with Tim Green, Head of Training, and Alan McEwan, Technical Representative for Scotland. Together, they explore one of the biggest challenges facing the flooring industry: the shortage of skilled floorlayers and the difficulty of attracting younger people into the trade. Tim and Alan explain why floor...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom is joined by David Edmondson from JMG Insurance Brokers for a practical conversation about insurance for flooring contractors, retailers and business owners. Many businesses arrange insurance because they know they need it, then assume everything is covered without checking the exclusions, conditions or limits hidden within the policy. David explains...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Andrew Sykes from Noah’s Ark Centre and Carpets Like a Boss to explore the impact flooring can have on people experiencing poverty, poor mental health and housing insecurity. Andrew shares his own journey from running successful businesses to suffering a nervous breakdown that completely changed the direction of his life. After finding...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom is joined by Harrison Smith, Managing Director of Azalea Wealth Management, for a straight-talking conversation about money, pensions, protection and long-term planning for flooring business owners. A lot of people spend years building a business, growing turnover, managing staff, chasing jobs and solving problems, but never properly turn that hard w...

After 30 podcasts in 30 days, Tom wraps up the challenge by looking back at some of the most valuable lessons shared across the series. This episode brings together 10 key takeaways for flooring contractors, retailers and manufacturers, covering everything from growth and showroom strategy to websites, follow-up, service, numbers, AI and family life. Rather than chasing the next shiny idea, Tom br...

When Growth Becomes the Problem In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Luke Johnson, better known as Floor Ninja, for an honest conversation about growing a flooring business, losing control of quality, and learning when bigger is not always better. Luke shares how he got into flooring at 15, working with his uncle for £10 a day, before eventually going out on his own, buil...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom records from Manchester ahead of the latest Cockerill & Co client quarterly, where flooring business owners come together to review, reset and plan their next three months. Before heading into a day at the Crystal Maze with clients, Tom shares some of the key questions he asks business owners during the quarterly review process. This episode is a...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom takes on one of the biggest mindset shifts flooring business owners need to make: stop seeing marketing as a cost, and start treating it as a measurable route to growth. This is not about throwing money at ads and hoping for the best. It is about knowing your numbers, tracking your leads, understanding your cost per acquisition, and making sure every...

Tom recorded this episode from the car on the way to Manchester, so forgive the odd bit of background noise. But the message in this one is well worth hearing. As the 30 podcasts in 30 days challenge nears the finish line, Tom reflects on a feeling most self-employed people know too well: reaching the point where you think, “I’ve had enough of this.” Not because you are lazy. Not because you do no...

Making Tax Digital might not be the most exciting topic in the world, but for flooring business owners, it is one that cannot be ignored. In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Sarah takes over the show to break down Making Tax Digital in plain English. No jargon, no panic, and no overcomplicated explanations. Just a practical look at what it means, who it affects, and why it could actually h...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Pia Honey, founder of No Floor, No More, to hear the incredible story behind a grassroots movement that has now helped thousands of families access flooring and household essentials that would otherwise have gone to landfill. What started with Pia giving away her own unwanted flooring during a home renovation has grown into a much bigg...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Danny Stenhouse for a proper honest conversation about life, business, flooring, social media and the lessons you only learn the hard way. Danny shares his story from growing up on Pottery Lane in York, building resilience through a tough upbringing, working in youth support, becoming an estate agent, and eventually finding his way int...

In this solo episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom shares a quickfire sales masterclass for flooring retailers and contractors who feel busy, but not necessarily more profitable. After admitting that a previous sales masterclass recording never made it out as planned, Tom turns it into a practical audio session packed with advice for flooring businesses that already know their trade, but need to...

In this special episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom and Sarah revisit one of their favourite conversations with Paul Mort. This episode goes far beyond business. Paul talks openly about personal development, mental health, responsibility, family, purpose, confidence, marketing, criticism, and what it really takes to change the way you feel and live. It is honest, funny, raw and, at times, prop...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Paul McMaster from Carpets & Flooring 2 You in Bishop Auckland for an honest conversation about retail, ambition, service, mistakes, family, and why bigger is not always better. Paul has spent 27 years in the flooring trade, working across retail, wholesale and sales before joining forces with his long-time friend and business part...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom sits down with Luke Crooks, Managing Director of Solent Wholesale Carpets, an independent flooring wholesaler based on the South Coast. Luke shares the story of how his grandfather moved south after the war, started with carpet shops, and eventually built the wholesale business that the family still runs today. He talks about what it takes to stay re...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom is joined by John Beamson, also known as The CEO Adventurer, for a brutally honest conversation about business, accountability, resilience and why so many people want the big results without doing the simple things properly. From missed meetings and unreturned calls to poor follow-up, weak priorities and avoiding uncomfortable conversations, Tom and...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, Tom is joined by Matt Brindley from Rethink Drink for a frank conversation about alcohol, stress, business growth and the habits that quietly hold people back. This is not a preachy episode about never drinking again. It is a proper look at the grey area many business owners find themselves in, where alcohol is not necessarily destroying their life, but...