The UK Flooring Podcast

This week on The UK Flooring Podcast , Tom sits down with Oli Butler, a straight-talking voice in the flooring industry with 30+ years of experience. From his early days as a labourer on the Euro Disney build to leading high-profile commercial projects across Europe, Oli’s story is as raw as it is inspiring. He shares the truth about big contractors, payment struggles, and why he built his busines...

This week on The UK Flooring Podcast , Tom and Sarah sit down together for a very special episode and they’re bringing some big news with them. From exclusive updates about the upcoming Flooring Show in Harrogate to the launch of a game-changing new project that’s been five years in the making , this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights you won’t hear anywhere else. The pair also open...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast , Tom Cockerill sits down with Gordon Bowden from Forbo Flooring Systems to talk about what he’s been up to lately, his views on the current state of the flooring industry, and where he sees things heading next. From sustainability to shifting customer expectations, Gordon shares candid insights into one of the industry’s leading brands and how Forbo cont...

This week on The UK Flooring Podcast , Tom sits down with Glen, owner of Coastal Carpets, to talk about juggling family life, running a flooring business, and his love for skateboarding. From the art of laying carpet to hitting the ramps, this episode brings flooring and lifestyle together in a way you won’t want to miss. What’s Inside: Growing Coastal Carpets into a trusted family-run flooring bu...

In this inspiring episode of The UK Flooring Podcast , Tom Cockerill sits down with the owner of Against the Grain Flooring Stuart Lawler to uncover the passion, precision, and persistence behind one of the UK’s most respected bespoke flooring businesses. From the first plank laid to the final polish, discover how dedication to detail and a love for the craft have built a reputation that truly sta...

What does it take to organise the UK’s biggest and boldest flooring trade event? In this week’s episode, we go behind the scenes with Suzy from The Flooring Show . From unexpected customs dramas to sparkly bikini mishaps and bold new plans to grow the show, Suzy lifts the curtain on what really happens when you put the entire flooring industry under one roof. 🎤📍 What’s Inside : Why this year’s s...

What does it take to run one of Ireland’s most trusted hardwood flooring businesses? In this week’s episode, Sarah speaks with Siobhan Smyth, co-founder of Floorstore Direct, about her path from hospitality to hardwood and how she and her team built a brand rooted in quality, trust, and relentless education.  What’s Inside : Siobhan’s journey from working with showjumpers and running a pub to...

What happens when a group of flooring pros swap trowels for trekking poles? They climb North Africa’s tallest mountain. This special episode captures the laughter, pain, inspiration, and lessons from the summit of Mount Toubkal. 🎙️⛰️ What’s Inside: Why they decided to take on this gruelling challenge together The emotional highs (and oxygen-deprived lows) from a 2:30am start to a 4167m summit Refl...

Damian Harvey of Addmaster joins the UK Flooring Podcast to reveal how invisible silver-ion technology is revolutionising hygiene in healthcare, food production, automotive and even space travel. This isn’t just science fiction—it’s the future of flooring. What’s Inside: How Addmaster’s silver-ion antimicrobial additives work and why they’re critical in healthcare, food, and tech industries Why th...

Alex Page of Tricas Flooring joins the UK Flooring Podcast to share how a family-run ethos, prioritising fitters, and learning from the past helped turn his career and life around. What’s Inside: Alex’s flooring journey: From apprentice sweeping floors to running a thriving commercial operation The importance of communication, second chances, and investing in mental wellbeing Why proper floor prep...

Tom and Sarah get raw and real about the chaos of life, leadership, and running a business when everything goes sideways. From hospital stays to rescheduling flagship events, here’s how to keep calm and carry on when the unthinkable happens. What’s Inside: The hospital scare that shook the Cockerills and what it taught them about contingency planning When and how to pivot: Rescheduling Floor Freed...

What’s behind a flawless floor? Raised access systems, remote teams, and a fifth-wheel caravan. Ryan Ulmer reveals how Access Floors Distribution is shaking up commercial flooring with smart tech, a service-first strategy, and a people-powered approach. What’s Inside: From Hereford to Newquay: How Access Floors Distribution operates fully remote and still delivers next-day to London Demystifying R...

In this powerful episode, Tom Cockerill sits down with Martyn Cohen to talk career reinvention, running high-performing flooring teams, and how to scale a business without sacrificing your sanity. What’s Inside: o The common mistakes flooring retailers make with staff and growth—and how to fix them o Five people management tips every flooring business owner needs to hear o Why most businesses avoi...

Jason Draper joins the UK Flooring Podcast to talk NICF, the real cost of poor clients, mastering natural flooring, and why success isn’t about being busy—it’s about being intentional. What’s Inside: Jason’s journey from fitter to President of the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers (NICF) Why saying “no” is a superpower for any installer or retailer The truth about NICF accreditation, in...

In this episode of NeBiznis, Rob chats with Tom Cockerill, founder of Cockrell and Co. and host of The UK Flooring Podcast. Tom shares his rollercoaster journey from building a successful flooring business to losing everything—house, cars, business—and then rising again to create a thriving consultancy that now supports flooring businesses across the UK. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram, YouTub...

Explore the commercial flooring world with Jon Rogers of Burmatex. From 1880s Yorkshire mills to today’s cutting-edge eco-manufacturing, this episode reveals the legacy, innovation, and real talk behind one of the UK’s most respected flooring brands. What’s Inside: • How Burmatex evolved from recycled clothing to pioneering commercial flooring solutions • The truth about sustainability in the floo...

When a sleepless baby meets a squeaky floor, a global business is born. Paul Lanzarotti shares how he turned one infuriating problem into a world-leading solution. This episode is essential listening for anyone in flooring—fitters, retailers, and innovators alike. What’s Inside: Paul’s origin story—from media exec to flooring fix pioneer How Floor-Fix Pro solves squeaks, wobbles, cracks & gaps...

This week, Tom is joined by Nathan Garnett, Business Development Director of the InstallerSHOW, to uncover what makes 2025’s event the biggest and boldest yet. From live house builds to celebrity appearances and exclusive networking spaces—InstallerSHOW is more than a trade event, it’s an experience. What’s Inside: o What’s new at InstallerSHOW 2025: Bigger halls, more brands, and exciting show zo...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of the UK Flooring Podcast as we sit down with Emma Derham, the trailblazing talent behind Smartwood Flooring and Tiling. As a female floor sander and tiler with 17 years of experience, Emma is gearing up to take over her family’s business in Brighton. From battling old-school stereotypes to captaining her women’s football team, Emma shares her journey with grit,...

Welcome to the electrifying kickoff of Season 4 of the UK Flooring Podcast! We’re diving in with none other than Sarah Cockerill, the powerhouse co-founder of Cockerill & Co, who brings raw honesty, resilience, and a fresh perspective to the flooring industry. In this episode, Sarah faces a gauntlet of brand-new questions designed to uncover the human side of business, from personal triumphs t...

Season 4 of the UK Flooring Podcast is coming soon! We're diving deeper into the world of flooring with fresh insights and inspiring stories. Want to share your expertise or journey? Get in touch now to be a guest on the show! Contact us at: •Website: https://theukflooringpodcast.co.uk/ •Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theukflooringpodcast/ •Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theukflooringpod...

Tom Land shares how he's taking the reins of a family flooring business, navigating sanding mishaps, setting boundaries with clients, and dreaming big with his eyes on high-end market expansion. What’s Inside: From teenage apprentice to business owner: Tom’s journey stepping into his dad’s 40-year flooring legacy Why setting clear boundaries and charging deposits can transform your business (and y...

In this jam-packed episode of the UK Flooring Podcast , we sit down with Rob Baines, a filmmaking veteran with nearly 20 years of experience and the creative force behind Rob-Cam Productions. Rob shares his expert insights on how flooring businesses—and any business—can harness the power of video in 2025 to stand out online, boost engagement, and stop the scroll on social media. From DIY tips usin...

Join us on The UK Flooring Podcast as we dive into the fascinating 25-year journey of Chris Richardson-King, Technical Manager at Ege Carpets. From cutting carpets to hit the pub by 2pm to championing bespoke, sustainable flooring for Disney and cruise liners, Chris shares his evolution from installer to industry innovator. Discover how Ege Carpets is redefining the trade with injection-dyed desig...

In this episode of The UK Flooring Podcast, we sit down with Andy from Flooring Matters in Newton Abbot to uncover his remarkable transition from a hectic chef’s life to leading a thriving flooring business in the South West. From laying his first square metre to scaling a commercial and residential powerhouse, Andy shares actionable insights on training, diversification, and overcoming industry c...