A WIRRAL plumber is going for gold after making it to the final ten of the 2024 Screwfix Top Tradesperson award.

Now Paul Clark, who has been working as a plumber for 30 years, will go head-to-head with nine other finalists from across the UK and Ireland

Beating off fierce competition from more than 1,000 applications, Paul, impressed the judges during the semi-final interviews with his sheer passion for the trade, dedication, and commitment to going above and beyond for his customers.

Paul is a third generation plumbing and heating engineer and is passionate about pushing boundaries in the industry in terms of what he can achieve for customers. He therefore prioritises the quality of his work rather than the quantity of jobs. Although now a sole trader, over his career he has supported three apprentices with their own journey in the trade. If Paul won, he claims he would use the title as a platform to inspire others to enter the industry.

Having earned his place in the final, Paul will be hoping to take home the coveted title, along with an ultimate trade bundle of tech, tools and training worth £20,0000. The winner will also join the likes of Astrid Arnold, a Devon-based carpenter who was awarded the accolade in 2023, in the Screwfix Top Tradesperson Hall of Fame.

Marking the 15th year of the award, the final of this year’s Screwfix Top Tradesperson will take place at Screwfix LIVE on Friday, September 27 where a panel of industry experts will put Paul and the other finalists through their paces before selecting this year’s overall champion.

The panel includes representatives from the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).

Reflecting on his success so far, Paul, said: “I’m over the moon to have made it to the final of the Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2024.

"This award is not just about winning; it's about celebrating the hard work and dedication that goes into our trade. I’m proud to represent Wirral and all plumbers out there and look forward to the final stage of the competition and meeting the other finalists.”

Jack Wallace, marketing director at Screwfix, said: “The nation’s tradespeople are an invaluable asset not just to the economy, but also the local communities in which they work. So much hard work goes on behind the scenes that most people often don’t get to see, which is why we created Screwfix Top Tradesperson, to give them the recognition they deserve.

“Our ten finalists have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their trade, and we’d like to wish them the very best of luck for the final. Although I, and the other judges, have got a tough job ahead of us, we can’t wait to see what each contestant will bring to the table.”