Name: Pierre Allen
Age: 54
Company: CWC Flooring
Job title: Managing Director
How did you get into the flooring industry?
When I was 18 my uncle got me a job doing some fitting. From there I gradually progressed and became a flooring contractor.
What has been the biggest change in the flooring industry since you started?
Definitely the Internet. We used to have to fax everything, but now we can send invoices and get paid online. Everything’s much quicker.
What changes do you predict for the industry in the next 20 years?
I think the big difference in 20 years will be the lack of qualified floor layers. There just aren’t enough kids coming through now. That said, I won’t be here so I’m not too worried.
What is the best job you’ve ever done?
The work we do at Stamford Bridge [Chelsea Football Club] is probably the best.
And what is the worst?
Anything domestic. I try to just do commercial now.
Do you have a go-to product for certain jobs?
Some products are a lot better than others, yes, but what I use depends on the job.
What do you like best about the job?
Now that I’m just doing commercial stuff, I get my weekends. As MD I get a fair bit of freedom as well which I never had previously. When I did domestic jobs I’d be working 6-7 days a week.
What is your least favourite thing about the job?
Quantity Surveyors, hands down.