NFRC and Clarke Roofing run roof tiling showcase at Brighton inclusion conference

NFRC and its member Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd ran a hands-on roof tiling showcase at the Diversity and Inclusion in Construction Conference 2026 in Brighton, where two of the trade body's committee members spoke about their careers in roofing.

The roofing trade association said on 5 November that visitors to the conference, known as DIIC, were able to try laying roof tiles as an introduction to the trade.

Sophie Pourou and Kayleigh Lamprell, both members of NFRC's London & Southern Counties (L&SC) committee, took part in a panel discussion about their experiences of working in roofing and the case for encouraging people from all backgrounds into construction, NFRC said.

The showcase follows a series of school workshops by Clarke Roofing reported by NFRC in May. Mel of Clarke Roofing, who runs the training rig session, said: "The industry cannot complain about a labour shortage if we aren't actively introducing ourselves to young people."

The panel

According to NFRC, one young attendee stayed behind after the panel session to speak to Pourou and Lamprell about opportunities in roofing and how to find entry routes into the sector.

NFRC said it is supporting that enquiry through its engagement with members and training providers across the L&SC region. The trade body said the exchange showed the value of visible role models and real experiences in challenging perceptions of the industry.

NFRC thanked Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd, Pourou and Lamprell for their contribution to the event.

The conference

The organiser, Diversity and Inclusion in Construction C.I.C., said the 2026 conference was held at the Amex Stadium in Brighton under the theme Building Inclusion. Shaping the Future. One Region at a Time. It said the event would feature 90 speakers across five stages and three zones, with an audience ranging from education providers and public sector leaders to employers and specialist contractors.

DIIC says it exists to help achieve diversity and inclusion in organisations and across the industry, and that its mission is to help drive the construction industry's skills sustainability agenda.

NFRC, established in 1892, describes itself as the UK's largest roofing trade association and represents more than 1,500 roofing companies.

Sussex outreach

The Brighton conference is the latest in a run of skills activity by NFRC's L&SC region in Sussex this year.

In May, NFRC reported that Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd had run roofing workshops at five East Sussex secondary schools, including Ratton School. Sessions are capped at ten students, and NFRC said every slot offered was filled within days.

In April, the L&SC region was a Partner Sponsor of The BIG Futures Show at Eastbourne Sports Park on Tuesday 28 April 2026. NFRC said the show gave sponsors direct access to more than 1,500 attendees, including schools, colleges and job seekers. Sean Wootten, Regional Manager – London and Southern Counties at NFRC, said in February: "We are delighted to join The BIG Futures Show as a Partner Sponsor."

What happens next

NFRC's L&SC region announced on 21 October that it will sponsor two skills and employment events in 2027.

The first is the Brighton & Hove skills and employment celebration on 3 March 2027 at Brighton's Jubilee Library, organised by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Sussex Council of Training Providers.

The second is an East Sussex apprenticeship graduation at the Winter Garden in Eastbourne, organised by East Sussex County Council and the Sussex Council of Training Providers, which NFRC said will bring together more than 200 guests.

NFRC has invited L&SC members to put their apprentices and young workers forward for relevant award categories at the two 2027 events.