Andy Rowlands takes over as NFRC President with skills and apprenticeships among priorities

Andy Rowlands, Director of Rowlands Roofing Ltd, has become President of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), succeeding Colin McCorquodale after the trade body's annual general meeting in Glasgow on Friday 30 October 2026.

NFRC said the ceremonial chain of office passed from McCorquodale to Rowlands at the Scottish Roofing Awards, held at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow. Sharon Llewellyn, Director at JPR Roofing and Flooring Ltd, was also elected Vice President.

Rowlands set out three priorities for his two-year presidency: protecting the roofing industry, maintaining high standards and building career opportunities. On skills, NFRC said he has committed to supporting regional training initiatives, strengthening apprenticeship opportunities, attracting new entrants into roofing and making sure existing workers can access continued professional development.

Andy Rowlands, NFRC President, said: "We cannot protect our future without investing heavily in the next generation. The skills shortage is an industry-wide challenge, but as roofers, we have a unique story to tell and a highly skilled trade to promote."

The new President

NFRC said Rowlands brings more than 40 years of industry experience to the role. He is a Master Craftsman, a previous winner of the IFD International Roof of the Year Award, and has sat on the NFRC Board since 2018.

He is a former Chair of the NFRC South Western Region Committee and is Deputy Chair of the NFRC Heritage Committee. He also represents NFRC on the International Federation for the Roofing Trade (IFD) Pitched Roofing Commission and Training Commission. His company describes itself as working across Herefordshire and around the UK.

Rowlands told members he remains closely involved in day-to-day contracting and hands-on training, and NFRC said he intends to keep the practical challenges facing roofing businesses central to its work.

The succession has been two years in the making. NFRC elected Rowlands Vice President at its AGM on 1 October 2024, the meeting at which McCorquodale became the federation's 57th President, taking over from Mark Mitchell, Director of Jarvis and Womack Ltd.

Charity support

In line with NFRC tradition for incoming presidents, the federation will support Rowlands' nominated charity, The Lighthouse Charity, during his term. The charity says it has supported the construction community since 1956 and runs a free, confidential 24/7 helpline alongside a live web chat service and text facility.

McCorquodale's own nominated cause was the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. NFRC said he ended his presidency having raised £60,000 for the charity, with the final total reached after the Scottish Roofing Awards.

The outgoing President

McCorquodale, of Archibald McCorquodale & Son Ltd, which NFRC's board page describes as a Glasgow firm, has sat on the NFRC Management Board since 2014. He will remain on the board for a further two years as Immediate Past President.

NFRC said his presidency included a governance review covering revised regional terms of reference, the creation of a Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and changes to regional leadership arrangements. It also saw new website and customer relationship management systems, additional member benefits, new health and safety initiatives and record membership levels.

Colin McCorquodale, outgoing President, said: "I am delighted that we now have a really cohesive board. These changes, along with our ongoing governance discussions, have allowed us to look critically at how we operate and ensure our governance is fit for a modern professional trade association, offering members greater transparency."

The Vice President

Llewellyn, the new Vice President, chairs NFRC's Midlands region and its Health and Safety committee, according to the federation's board page. She spent more than 27 years in the NHS at management and strategic level before joining the roofing industry. NFRC directors are elected from the membership.

NFRC was established in 1892, describes itself as the UK's largest roofing trade association and says it has more than 1,500 roofing company members. Rowlands' presidency runs for two years.