Craig Dyson, Managing Director at TPI Taping and Jointing, speaks to David Crowson, Editor, about his journey from apprentice to business leader. He shares how he built one of the UK’s leading specialist taping and jointing contractors and how his passion for developing local talent has shaped the company’s successful in-house apprenticeship program. Craig explained that his journey began in 2004, when, at the age of 16, he became a plastering apprentice, although he was uncertain about the career path he wanted to pursue.

He said: “I had initially applied for a plumbing course at Leeds College of Building, but since it was full, I chose plastering instead.” He smiled and continued saying: “It’s amusing to think how different my life might have been if things had gone another way.

“At 17, in 2006, I unexpectedly transitioned into taping and jointing after meeting a local tradesman who had been trained by a Canadian in the late 1990s. I decided to give it a shot, and I still remember my first job — a night shift sanding a wall in the fish section of a supermarket. It was quite the introduction to adult work: exhausting, and with the unmistakable smell of fish lingering on me and my clothes.

“By the time I turned 20, the man who had trained me faced personal challenges and stopped working temporarily. This pushed me to become a self-employed bonafide subcontractor. This was a significant challenge, as I had never even sent out an invoice before. “Unfortunately, as I started on this exciting path the 2008 recession had just begun, and at this time I only had one contact. When work was slow, I searched for opportunities online and in the Yellow Pages, sending many letters and emails to potential clients. I even visited job sites in person, armed with a portfolio I had created. Disappointingly, some people I spoke to laughed at me or commented on my age, which was tough to handle and often belittling, but I persevered. Looking back, that experience strengthened my resilience and maturity. Although it was a challenging time for many, I am grateful for that period of my life.”

Craig went onto explain that by the age of 27, he had built a strong reputation for reliability and quality, which led him to train a few local workers in taping and jointing, some which had no construction experience. He said: “In 2017, I established TPI Taping and Jointing (TPI) to manage multiple projects simultaneously. I launched the business with less than £1,000 in the bank; however, I already owned a van, tools, and had a small client base. It was an interesting time, as it felt like I was back in an apprentice role — this time learning the business side of things.”

Craig proudly explained that the business grew gradually, which, in hindsight, was crucial to its success. He recalled managing three jobs at once with just himself and three taping and jointing trainees and wondering how they would cope — but they did. He said: “Today, TPI handles 10 to 20 projects simultaneously, supported by a team of around 30 people, from on-site labour to management.

“In 2021, during our fifth year of trading, Wayne Moseley, our current Operations Director joined TPI, bringing over 40 years of experience in the drylining sector and an extensive network of contacts. In this year, Wayne helped us surpass £1 million turnover in taping and jointing for the first time, which was an amazing achievement.

“Wayne’s expertise has been invaluable to my growth as Managing Director and has relieved the heavy, and at times unhealthy workload I was carrying.

“My decision for Wayne to join TPI, has proven highly successful, and as we approach our ninth year in business, I am pleased to see that we continue to achieve a multi-million-pound turnover year after year.”

Rising above challenges
During the conversation, we discussed the challenges he and TPI had faced on their journey. Craig acknowledged that it had not been without difficulties. He reflected on learning the importance of resilience and developing a thick skin. He said: “Success often brings scrutiny, and my circle of friends has narrowed. Problems and negativity are a regular part of business, but I make a point of celebrating small victories, such as contract wins and successful project handovers.

Craig recalled that, like many in the sector, a continuous challenge they have faced is significant financial setbacks caused by client companies going bankrupt. He said: “I am relieved to say, during these times we have managed to stabilise and then keep moving forward, albeit I can admit I have suffered with a few sleepless nights. It’s tough to handle when you put in so much effort to do a good job and then you don’t get paid for this work. “At times, I questioned whether it was all worth it, but reflecting now, I realise that these experiences fuelled my drive and helped shape the strong mindset I have today.” I asked Craig for his thoughts and solutions to the challenges currently facing the industry.

He told me that one critical area that must be addressed is the industry’s continued struggle with outdated retention processes which have shifted focus to cost-saving rather than their original purpose. “The current process is ineffective; for example, you could withhold payments on the final invoice until all work is signed off, then release payment promptly, rather than taking large sums throughout the entire project. In some cases, retentions cannot be claimed for years, making full recovery unlikely even after project completion,” said Craig.

Craig went onto say: “Another equally important challenge is the growing skills gap, highlighting the need to develop the next generation of skilled professionals capable of meeting and exceeding the demands of the sector.

“In the UK, there are no Government apprenticeships specifically for tapers and jointers, so I had to acquire all my skills on the job. To address this gap, TPI created an innovative in-house taping and jointing training program which does not involve any colleges. The program guides apprentices through various stages, starting with sanding to understand what the finished product should look like, progressing to first coat and preparation work, and finally the last coating process — while offering pay increases as they advance. This initiative has successfully trained 14 local individuals, many of whom remain with us today. As a result, TPI has gained a strong local reputation, generating numerous inquiries about our apprenticeship program.” He continued by saying: “I strongly believe the UK Government should seriously consider establishing taping and jointing as a college course, as it may now be more popular than traditional plastering in the construction sector.”

Looking ahead
Craig shared that the TPI team is excited about what the future holds. He concluded by saying: “We have specific targets and financial milestones that we are pursuing, moving closer to them each day.” Craig’s story is one of dedication and growth: He took the initiative and applied the skills he learned at an early age to build a thriving business, one that is built on people. Its success stems from developing a skilled, loyal team through mentoring and an in-house apprenticeship program, creating a strong foundation for growth while addressing the industry’s skills gap.

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