Purdy announces Mentor of the Year Winners 2024

Purdy has announced this year’s winners of its Mentor of the Year competition. During the competition’s first official awards ceremony at the P&D Show in Coventry, Simon Whitaker from Accrington and Rossendale College was crowned College Lecturer Mentor of the Year, while Scott Oliver of Scott Oliver Decorating, based in Poole, was crowned Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year.

21 November 2024

Now in its fourth year, Purdy’s Mentor of the Year recognises those in the industry who inspire the next generation of professional painters and decorators to be the best that they can be. Those learning the trade were asked to nominate a professional who is having a positive impact on their learning. This year, Purdy received a record number of entries, with the three judges, Neil Ogilvie CEO of the Painting and Decorating Association, Phil Warrick of CITB and Rob Davies of Purdy having their work cut out choosing the eventual winners.

The runners up were Jose Jarrett, from Shrewsbury Colleges Group for the College Lecturer Mentor of the Year, and Andrew Hamilton, from Bolton-based AR Decor for Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year. The winners each received £1,000 and the runners-up were both awarded £500.

Finally, Glen Galbraith from Doncaster College – last year’s College Lecturer Mentor of the Year winner – was also awarded a special Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his longstanding and ongoing commitment to the next generation of painting and decorating apprentices and his passion for the industry.

Rob Davies from Purdy, said: “This is the third year that I have been on the judging panel for the Mentor of the Year Awards and during that time the quality and the standard of the entries has improved immensely. It was a really difficult task to select our winners this year, but we have chosen some excellent individuals who don’t just add value to their colleges, they add value the industry and provide a crucial support system to their students.”

Entries for the Purdy Mentor of the Year 2025 competition will open on the 1^st April 2025, with a deadline for entry of the 30^th September 2025. 

 

 

Our Winners

 

Simon Whitaker, Accrington and Rosendale College - winner of College Lecturer Mentor of the Year 2024

Throughout his nine nominations, Simon Whitaker was consistently praised by his mentees for his patient and supportive approach to teaching. Hands-on, Simon clearly inspires his students with his work ethic, attention to detail and enthusiasm. Many attributed their own successes to Simon’s personal involvement and thanked him for guiding them to achieve professional milestones and build confidence.

“It feels amazing to have won. It’s one thing to be nominated but then to be shortlisted, go through the process and then actually win – I’m over the moon. I put 100% into the work that I do, trying to teach and encourage my learners, so to get a little bit of recognition for that is heartwarming. I’m really chuffed.”

 

Scott Oliver, Scott Oliver Decorating - winner of the Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year 2024

Scott is an exceptional mentor who combines technical expertise with a genuine, supportive approach. With over 20 years of experience as a lecturer behind him, Scott’s apprentice – his daughter Romilly – praised her father for fostering a positive, patient environment where no question is too small. Actively involving Romilly in all aspects of the trade and putting her forward for the PDA Apprentice of the Year competition after just a year painting and decorating, Scott is clearly an inspiring mentor both in and out of the workplace.

“I’m so proud to have won this award. I’ve been teaching now in some capacity for over 25 years so to get this recognition after having been nominated by my daughter – I’m so, so happy. Life as a painter and decorator can be quite insular, so to stand out in front of people and be acknowledged for the work that you do is great.”

 

Josephine Jarrett, Shrewsbury Colleges Group - runner-up of the College Lecturer Mentor of the Year 2024

Josephine clearly goes above and beyond for both her students and her department. Josephine’s nominators highlighted her supportive and highly personal approach to teaching as well as her ability to guide her students without discouraging them, fostering a positive learning environment with a combination of practical guidance and personal investment.

 

Andrew Hamilton, AR Decor - runner-up of the Painter and Decorator Mentor of the Year 2024

Andrew’s positive attitude and supportive nature his highly apparent in his nomination from his apprentice, Lily. Pushing her to excel both in terms of her painting and decorating career and her platform documenting her apprenticeship on social media, Andrew has clearly helped Lily to become a highly accomplished painter and decorator in a short space of time.

 

Glen Galbraith, Doncaster College - Lifetime Achievement Award 2024

After his win last year, Glen was nominated another twelve times for Mentor of the Year 2024 by students who see his dedication and long career in the industry, both lecturing and running his own business, as a real inspiration.