- Richard Aldred's early career in roofing
Richard Aldred began his career in roofing straight from school, starting out in contracting with D. W. Tilley Limited. He later joined the British Army, serving for five years during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This period gave him a strong foundation in discipline and teamwork, qualities that have shaped his professional approach ever since. Subsequently, Richard re-joined the roofing industry in 2007 and moved into manufacturing, where he built his career.
- Professional development and qualifications
During this time, Richard built significant expertise in roofing system manufacturing. In addition, he developed close, collaborative relationships with contractors across the UK. Further, he undertook a master’s degree in construction project management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, achieving a distinction. This qualification demonstrates a strong academic commitment alongside his practical industry experience. Richard also holds MCIOB status as a member of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). This reflects his professional standing within the wider construction sector.
- Richard Aldred's role at Sika Ltd
Richard currently serves as Head of Compliance and Technical Services at Sika Ltd. In this role, he oversees the production of specifications and technical information, and provides advice on best roofing practice. Sika manufactures a range of systems for the UK roofing industry. For example, these include hot melt structural waterproofing, reinforced bituminous membranes, single ply and liquid applied membranes. Consequently, Richard’s day to day work connects directly with the products and standards that the LRWA promotes across the sector.
- Contribution to the wider roofing industry
Beyond his day to day role, Richard remains an active member of the wider roofing technical community. He regularly contributes to technical discussion and debate across a variety of industry forums. For instance, he shares insight drawn from his manufacturing and contracting background. Throughout his career, Richard has worked on numerous significant and complex projects. These have included waterproofing and green roofing works carried out on a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most importantly, this depth of technical knowledge underpins Richard’s contribution to the Association. For contractors and specifiers seeking similar expertise, the LRWA’s training courses offer a practical route into advanced roofing techniques.
