New Freemen

Freeman Ben Rowlands Joined in December 2025

Ben started his career as a roofer in the Rowlands Roofing business working on a variety of projects across the country. He moved widely in the industry gaining  experience in many areas including solar installation and sales. In 2019 he became NVQ Assessor and NFRC CPS Inspector and then the Technical Compliance Manager for the NFRC. Since 2023 Ben has been the Technical Manager Roofing Slating and Tiling for NFRC.

Ben’s interests outside work include cycling, music, motor sport and walking

Kevin was born in Bromley Kent. He now lives in Harpenden, Hertfordshire with his wife Marilyn, they have two adult children.

He is an economics graduate of Southampton University. He spent thirty one years with the Barings Group of companies eleven at Baring Brothers Bank as an Assistant Director of Treasury and Trading Operations and the remainder with Baring Asset Management as a Director of Investment Operations. He spent a further five years with the start-up Hexam Capital Partners and for the last six years has been a Non-Executive Director of Courtiers Asset Management.

Kevin enjoys cycling, walking the UK National Trails. He is a Charlton Athletic season ticket holder and a member of Blackheath Rugby Football Club and Surrey County Cricket Club.

Richard was born in Weston‑super‑Mare and continues to live in Somerset. He is engaged to Marie and has three children. He began his career in construction in 2003 as a labourer before progressing through an apprenticeship in bricklaying and working across a range of construction and supervisory roles.

In 2013 he moved into education, teaching and managing construction programmes at Bridgwater College and later Bridgwater & Taunton College, where he led the Construction Skills & Innovation Centre and apprenticeship delivery supporting the Hinkley Point C project.

Since 2022 he has held senior leadership roles at the Construction Industry Training Board, first as Head of Careers Products and, since 2025, as Head of Portfolio Strategy, guiding CITB’s national product portfolio and major skills initiatives.

He holds a first‑class degree from Sheffield Hallam University, is currently studying for an MBA at the University of Exeter, and is a Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI).

His interests include walking, heritage buildings and conservation, history, leadership and music. He is also a committed advocate for people development and lifelong learning.

Freeman Joe Wegener Joined in September 2025

Freeman Nick Rolls Joined in September 2025

Joe was born in Hammersmith 63 years ago and spent most of his life living and working in West London.When he left school, he started working for his grandfather’s roofing company, formed in the 1930’s, and eventually formed his own roofing company in his mid-twenties.Later he joined the Open University and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering.   He became a Software Engineer in the Oil & Gas sector before transferring his skills to Defence.  He is married with one daughter and still likes to play squash and the occasional round of golf.

Born and raised in Norfolk where Nick was a chorister at Norwich Cathedral, he developed an early interest in creativity through music, art and design, which he pursued at foundation and degree level. He began his career with renowned British designers Barber Osgerby, designers of the 2012 Olympic torch, becoming Creative Director of their architecture and interiors practice, Universal Design Studio. He now lives in Sussex with his wife, also in design, and his two children, and leads spatial design at Jaguar Land Rover.

Freeman Shahab Mossavat Joined in September 2025

Freeman Mike Walsh Joined in June 2025

Shahab is a journalist, broadcaster and former war correspondent with more than two decades of frontline and newsroom experience. Born in Tehran and a naturalised British citizen since 1990, he has reported on conflicts and international affairs across the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Fluent in five languages, he brings cultural range and analytical depth to his work, now contributing regularly on British affairs to outlets including GB News. Alongside his journalism, he runs a successful public relations practice, advising global clients on communications strategy while continuing to write and comment on politics, diplomacy and security.

After graduating from University, Mike began his professional working career as a Quantity Surveyor for a specialist Brickwork Contractor in Kent. In January 1992 at the age of 27, he formed Swift Brickwork Contractors Ltd and has led this business since then as Managing Director and now Chief Executive. The business has grown to be one of the UK’s most respected Brickwork and Masonry Contractors, with a long list of landmark buildings constructed to its credit. Mike is also a founding and current Director of the Association of Brickwork Contractors. Providing Training and Apprenticeships is particularly close to Mike’s heart with Swift recruiting and supporting 15 apprentices annually from families of employees and schools generally to NVQ Level 2 Bricklaying.  Mike plays golf and enjoys horseracing, rugby, shooting and fishing.

Joe was born in east Dulwich, and now lives in Dartford in Kent and works in Sevenoaks. Joe is Director of Brick Jackets Ltd, a company which he founded, providing innovative jackets to keep bricks protected in adverse weather conditions.  Since 2024 Joe has also been a Director of Super Trowel UK – the UKs biggest bricklaying competition.  In his spare time Joe is a Freemason and a keen motorcyclist. 

Ashley was born in Oxford and now lives in Suffolk. Following an apprenticeship at Trumax Building Services, Ashley worked as a bricklayer progressing to manager at a local building company. Since 2020, Ashley has worked as a project manager at Swift Brickwork Contractors, working alongside some of the UKs largest construction companies. Outside of Ashleys professional commitments, he founded Super Trowel UK, the UKs biggest bricklaying competition. He also enjoys rugby, shooting and fishing.

Freeman Col (Retd) Ian Denison Joined in June 2025 

Living in Ashford, Surrey, Ian is married to Alison and has three adult children.  He was educated at the Emscote Lawn School, Warwick and the King’s School, Worcester. He is a graduate of the City and Guilds of London Institute. Joined HM Customs & Excise in April 1975 which morphed into Border Force, part of the Home Office. Currently in Heathrow’s Senior Leadership Team, as Border Force’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement & Security. Ian was commissioned in the Army in 1978.  Appointed as Commandant of Middlesex & NW London Army Cadet Force in 2006, then National Army Cadets Training Advisor.  Appointed as Colonel Cadets for HQ London District in 2015.

Jack was born in Enfield in London and now lives in Hertford. Jack started his career as a bricklaying apprentice at Taylor Wimpey and then worked for Taylor Wimpey and LBC Brickwork across London, Hertfordshire and Essex. In 2006 Jack moved into education at Hertford Regional College originally part time and then full time two years later. Jack manages the apprentice and bricklaying diploma programmes and is responsible for the College’s Internal Quality Assurance across the Construction Department. Outside of work, Jack is interested in physical and mental well-being and is a keen weightlifter, mountain biker and hiker. He is also involved with the UKs biggest bricklaying competition, Super Trowel UK.

A Chartered Accountant originally from Scotland, but Andrew has called the Southeast home for over 35 years. For the past decade, he’s been actively involved in the Brick industry, bringing his financial expertise and passion for innovation to the role. Outside of work, he enjoys a range of hobbies that keep him both mentally and physically engaged. He has a long-standing love for motorbikes, and regularly takes part in triathlons—more for personal achievement than competition. Andrew is also an amateur radio enthusiast, always keen to connect with others and explore new technologies.