10 Questions With … Craig Waddington

Our founder recently answered ten questions posed by Tomorrow's Tile & Stone for their December issue.

If you missed it, you can read the article in full here...

1. What was your first job?

I had all sorts of pocket-money jobs; a milk round, a paper round and I even helped in a fruit and veg shop on a Saturday.

2. How did you get into the tiling industry?

I’ve worked in a variety of roles in the bathroom industry, mainly starting as a warehouse manager before founding and running my own bathroom retail business. And tiling is still part of my ‘job description’ — I fit all the showrooms!

3. Who, in any other industry, do you most admire?

I think it would have to be Dean Hoyle who founded Card Factory. He started selling cards from the back of his van in 1993 and sold his business in 2010 for £350m.

4. If money was no object, what car would you buy?

A Bentley Continental GT Speed.

5. If you could invent one product to make your job easier, what would it be?

A grout that, when it dries, doesn't leave a dusty residue across the tile — it drives me nuts!

6. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

I wanted to run my own business — I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit.

7. What do you do to unwind?

Spending time with my family relaxes me, as does an occasional game of golf — it’s good for clearing the mind.

8. If you could host a dinner party with any three guests, dead or alive who would they be and why?

Firstly, I’d have Anthony Joshua, just because he’s a real class act and a boxing great. I’d invite James Corden, purely for the laughs, and then Bear Grylls for the interesting stories.

9. If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?

The Maldives. After opening six showrooms this year, I'd love to go for the relaxation!

10. Stephen Moss from Maxtop Quartz Ltd asked:

If you were able to invent a new surface material, what would be its predominant uniqueness and colour trend and where should it be used in the first instance?

I’d like to see a new form of acrylic sheeting which doesn't chip or scratch. It could come in a range of current colours, such as metallic and copper, or even be digitally printed for different effects. It would be great as a kitchen backsplash.