New Freemen

We welcome the following who have recently been made Freemen of the Company.

Freeman Andrew Gibson Joined March 2025

Freeman Michael Halle Joined March 2025

Michael was born in Ashford in Middlesex. He now lives near Shrewsbury. He is married with three children.

Michael started his working life in the Sales Office of John Williams and Co of Rotherhithe, a roofing contractor. Building his knowledge and expertise on roofing from the Master Slaters he worked with, Michael rose in seniority in the industry. In 1995 he joined the Ffestiniog Slate Group which became Welsh Slate, part of the Breedon Group, in 1997. Michael stayed and grew with the Company. Today he is the Commercial Director.

Michael sits on the Board of the Institute of Roofing and is actively involved with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys family life and watching sport. He is a member of the MCC.

Freeman Simon Holland Joined March 2025

Simon was born and educated in Bury and currently lives in the village of Edenfield, Lancashire. He has two sons, Jacob & Jude.

Simon has always worked in customer facing roles, starting his career with Bradford & Bingley, then working as Long Haul Cabin Crew for British Airways, a Firefighter in Manchester and even as part-time postman. In 2014, he set up Jacob’s Ladder Property Consultancy Ltd, which now boasts over 100 private clients.

In addition, Simon is a local Ward Councillor, an active Freemason and attends his local Church regularly. He is very active in his local community and enjoys raising funds for local charities. He has enjoyed overseas charity trips trekking through the Borneo Jungle, and hiking through the mountains of Slovenia.

In his ‘spare time’ Simon also enjoys golf, walking, travelling, socialising and hosting twice yearly Quiz nights for over 100 people in his local village.

Simon believes life is a ‘people business’, and is very much looking forward to meeting lots of new people through his membership of the Tylers & Bricklayers.

Freeman Guy Armitage joined in September 2024

Guy was born in Harrogate and still lives in Yorkshire with his wife and two children. On graduation with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Guy spent a few years working in business and IT. In May 2005, Guy joined the family business, York Handmade Bricks, and assumed the role of Managing Director in January 2016. Today, York Handmade Bricks sells approximately 2.5 million bricks a year. In his spare time, Guy enjoys horse racing, gardening and running.

Freeman Stuart Black joined in September 2024

Stuart was born in Portsmouth. After gaining various qualifications in Electrics and Engineering, Stuart undertook a number of roles as a fitter and then a sales man. He moved into group sales and management with Keystone and IG Lintels, then Timloc Building Products and Cupa Pizzaras. He is now South West and Wales Regional Manager for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Stuart lives near Sherborne with his wife and two children. He is interested in slate, geology and the bult environment, and is a Southampton FC supporter.

Freeman Danny Lyon elevated from Craft Freemanship in September 2024

Danny was born in London and attended the London Nautical School. After studying slating and tiling with City and Guilds, Danny worked as a roofer before setting up his own company Lyons Roofing Solutions Ltd, of which he is now Director. Danny was awarded Master Craftsman status and became a Craft Freeman of this Company in 2022 and has now progressed to full Freeman. Danny lives in Kent with his wife Kelly and son Joshua. He enjoys boating and running.

Freeman Robin Nowell joined in March 2024

Robin was born in Burton on Trent and now lives in London with his partner, Ruth. He attended Goldsmiths College, University of London and then Sandhurst. Following a successful 10 year career as an officer in the British Army, Robin moved into the financial sector. Since September 2022 he has been a management consultant working for Alpha FMC within their UK asset and wealth management consulting business. Robin enjoys hiking, camping, cycling and woodwork.

Freeman Rachel Malpas-Brown joined in December 2023
Rachel was born in Keighley and studied maths at St John's College Oxford. Following an internship at PWC and consultancy roles at PWC, Lane Clark and Peacock and Deloitte, Rachel is now Lead Systems Analyst at the Legal and General. She is a Fellow of the institute and Faculty of Actuaries. She now lives in Richmond with her partner Alex and son George. When not working Rachel is interested in Code, biking, culture and crafts.

Freeman Bob Coutts joined in September 2023
Bob Coutts was born in Fauldhouse, a village in West Lothian, Scotland. He now lives a few miles from his birthplace in Newarthill with his partner and fiancée Anne.After an apprenticeship as a Slater/Roughcaster, Bob transferred to Hart Builders Ltd where he refined his crafts. In 1975 he began lecturing to Craft and Advanced Craft Level. He lectured at Telford College/ Edinburgh College and advanced to Senior Lecturer (Curriculum) from 2017 he has been a Trainer/Assessor of Roof Slating and Tiling based at Nutts Corner Training Centre, Belfast NI.When not involved in Slating and Tiling competitions at regional, national and international level Bob enjoys his RA Freemasonry and making brass badges especially with a roofing theme.

Freeman Stuart Williams joined in March 2023
Stuart is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Following employments with some of the major accounting companies, Stuart became an entrepreneur in 1975 and set up and ran his own businesses. He has worked and lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil and London. In 1997 he co-founded Topps Tiles PLC and was its Chairman until 2006. He is still a major shareholder. Since 1999 he has also been a commercial property developer. Stuart lives in London with his wife, Hilary. They have two sons.