TRAINING AND EDUCATION Left to right; Phil Warrick, Neil Ogilvie, College Lecturer Mentor of the Year Simon Whitaker, and Rob Davies from Purdy.
Meet the Mentor of the Year Finalists – www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTtp6T2Nuzg
WINNERS ANNOUNCED! PURDY HAS ANNOUNCED this year’s winners of its Mentor of the Year competition. During the first official awards ceremony for the competition at the P&D Show in Coventry, Simon Whitaker from Accrington and Rossendale College was crowned College Lecturer Mentor of the Year, while Scott Oliver of Scott Oliver Decorating, based in Poole, was crowned Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year. Now in its fourth year, Purdy’s Mentor of the Year recognises those in the industry who inspire the next generation of professional painters and decorators to be the best that they can be. Those learning the trade were asked to nominate a professional who is having a positive impact on their learning. This year, Purdy received a record number of entries, with the three judges, Neil Ogilvie CEO of the Painting and Decorating Association, Phil Warrick of CITB and Rob Davies of Purdy having their work cut out choosing the eventual winners. Throughout his nine nominations, Simon Whitaker was consistently praised by his mentees for his patient and supportive approach to teaching. Hands-on, Simon clearly inspires his students with his work ethic, attention
Josephine Jarrett, Runner-up College Lecturer Mentor Nominators highlighted her supportive and highly personal approach to teaching.
to detail and enthusiasm. Many attributed their own successes to Simon ’s personal involvement and thanked him for guiding them to achieve professional milestones and build confidence. He said, “It feels amazing to have won. It’s one thing to be nominated but then to be shortlisted, go through the process and then actually win... I’m over the moon. I put 100% into the work that I do, trying to teach and encourage my learners, so to get a little bit of recognition for that is heartwarming. I’m really chuffed.” The runners up were Jose Jarrett, from Shrewsbury Colleges Group for the College Lecturer Mentor of the Year, and Andrew Hamilton, from Bolton-based AR Decor for Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year. The winners each received £1,000 and the runners-up were both awarded £500. Finally, Glen Galbraith from Doncaster College (last year’s College Lecturer Mentor of the Year winner) was also awarded a special Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his longstanding and ongoing commitment to the next generation of painting and decorating apprentices and his passion for the industry.
Glen Galbraith Lifetime Achievement Award Nominated twelve times, students Andrew Hamilton, Runner-up see his dedication and long Painter and Decorator Mentor career lecturing and running his Nominated for his positive own business, a real inspiration. attitude by apprentice, Lily.
Scott Oliver Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year 2024 Scott is an exceptional mentor who combines technical expertise with a genuine, supportive approach. With over 20 years of experience as a lecturer behind him, Scott’s apprentice – his daughter Romilly – praised her father for fostering a positive, patient environment where no question is too small. Actively involving Romilly in all aspects of the trade and putting her forward for the PDA Apprentice of the Year competition after just a year painting and decorating, Scott is clearly an inspiring mentor both in and out of the workplace. “I’m so proud to have won this award. I’ve been teaching now in some capacity for over 25 years so to get this recognition after having been nominated by my daughter... I’m so, so happy. Life as a painter and decorator can be quite insular, so to stand out in front of people and be acknowledged for the work that you do is great.”
To find out more about Purdy, please visit www.purdy.co.uk Entries for the Purdy Mentor of the Year 2025 competition will open on 1 April 2025, with a deadline for entry of 30 September 2025. 26