Profile:

I have been in the floorcovering trade since 1964, starting my own business JR Roberts in 1977.   

During this time, I have played a pivotal role with a National Institute as President for 6 years, developing standards and training programs.  I set up and ran a training association for the organisations, moving on to set up The Academy of Flooring Skills, an independent training organisation offering training and assessments of skills, in most aspects of the flooring trade.   

I have carried out training in floorcoverings in many countries around the world including  America, Hong Kong, South Africa, Egypt, Dubai, Spain, Gibraltar, Portugal, Holland, Italy and Southern Ireland where I have set up The Academy of Flooring Skills Ltd. 

I organised and ran the Carpet Fitter of the year competition in the UK and set up the European Team Floorcovering Fitting championships held annually at the Domotex Floorcovering show in Germany from inception until 2008. 

I was made a Fellow of the N.I.C.F in 2003. 

I have achieved the following: 

City & Guilds assessor for National Vocational Qualifications levels 1, 2 and 3 in Textile – Wood - Resilient floorcoverings. 

N.I.C.F Master Fitter in Carpets – Wood – Laminate - Luxury Vinyl Tiles - Resilient floorcoverings. 

I am a consultant member of the CFA. 

Amtico approved installer. 

I act as an independent consultant and expert witness for manufacturers, wholesalers, consumers, solicitors and courts. 

Working with manufacturers, I write installation instructions, test products and tools. 

I have carried out installation presentations at most of the major flooring shows around the world including Domotex in Germany and Dubai, Holland, Italy, Surfaces in America, National Floor show UK, Interbuild UK and numerous other shows around the UK. 

I also lecture on floorcovering subjects. 

I sit on a number of committee’s for the flooring industry - B.S.I, C.I.T.B co-ordinating committee for National Vocational Qualifications and C.I.T.B. training committee. 

I sat on a committee represented by trade manufacturers, investigating pile reversal. 

I am a regular contributor of technical and information articles for the CFJ journal.