Toby Peacock is crowned Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022!

We have a champion! Toby Peacock, a Cambridge electrician, has proved he is the brightest spark and has been officially announced as the winner of Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022.

Toby, 26, was presented with the award – one of the industry’s most coveted titles – during Screwfix Live, held at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, on Friday 23 September.

The electrician walks away with the prestigious title and ultimate trade bundle consisting of £20,000 worth of tools, technology and future training.

Taking part in the final against nine other high-calibre tradespeople from across the UK and Ireland, Toby faced a panel of esteemed industry experts, including representatives from Screwfix, Federation of Master Builders, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, and Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2021 winner, Dan Lloyd.

Toby was a stand-out winner, speaking to the judges openly about his own personal struggles with mental health and how that has driven him to want to become an advocate for mental health in the trade industry. Toby is even starting his own podcast, ‘Tearoom Talks Podcast’, to help raise awareness and, in the future, he is determined to work closely with charities that have helped him.

What’s more, Toby is incredibly passionate about sustainability and previously worked on large commercial projects such as the largest solar farm in Cambridge – Vine Farm Solar Park. After starting his own business, Down to Earth Electrical, he was keen to keep his carbon footprint low by reducing waste, reusing, recycling, and helping customers to appreciate the benefits of EV charging and solar power.

Toby said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I couldn’t quite believe it when I was announced as Screwfix Top Tradesperson 2022, especially after getting to know the other finalists who are all inspirational, incredibly hard-working tradespeople. It’s been such an amazing journey and I couldn’t be prouder.

 

“Winning this award will impress new customers, it will help me grow my business, and of course, it will make a massive difference to my life. I’ve always been true to myself, and I think my customers really value that. I want customers to trust me, to see me as an honest tradesperson who will help them in their project.

 

“It’s great that the judges saw this in my interview. It can be difficult to open up and talk about mental health and, as someone who has experienced it, I completely get that. But we must speak up if we want attitudes to change, and I plan on using some of the prize money to continue to raise awareness. I would also like to take on some apprentices and pass on my knowledge about sustainability and the importance of great customer service.”

Jack Wallace, Marketing Director at Screwfix, said: “We know that tradespeople go to considerable lengths to support their customers, their local communities, and the next generation. Screwfix Top Tradesperson is our way of championing them and recognising their extraordinary efforts. Year-on-year, we are blown away by the level of high calibre applicants we receive, and their stories show the effort they put in day in day out. All ten of our finalists are a true credit to their trade.

“We were really impressed with Toby’s commitment to sustainability and how dedicated he was at raising awareness of mental health within the industry. This is such an important topic and something that really came to the fore during the pandemic. Toby’s professionalism, positivity, and ambition for the future of the trade really wowed the judges and mirrors our aspirations as a business. I’m delighted to announce Toby as our 2022 winner and look forward to where this accolade will take him and his business.”

To find out more about this competition, please visit screwfix.com/stt.