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ALEX BURMAN
OX Ambassador for Carpentry
Im Alex, or most commonly known as “The Valley Viking” I’m a 34 year old, award winning carpenter from South Wales, with nearly 19 years experience through all aspects of carpentry! I’m from a family of well established carpenters and builders, with a passion for stick build timber frame.
How did you get into your trade?
I always wanted to be in the police force from a young age, but after doing a week of work exp in the police at 15 years old, I was told, that the force like to see someone with life experience at a slightly older age, than the minimum age to join the force at 18, so something like an apprenticeship or a small job would be ideal. So that’s what I did, I got an apprenticeship, and as it happened, I was pretty decent with my hands and never looked back! Here I am today with 18+ years experience, and my own carpentry company which has been running strong for over 3 years.
Any tips for other aspiring tradies?
The best advice I would give anyone new coming into the trade would be: Get into the trade as early as possible, soak up as much knowledge and take any opportunity to learn within the trade. Be prepared to work those long, additional hours, work weekends, put learning first and not the pound, money will come later in life, soak up knowledge, it is invaluable. There is so much to learn within the carpentry/joinery world, and you’ll never stop learning, but the more you know earlier in your career then the more confidence you will build when going out on your own.
What are your interests and hobbies?
I have a passion for music (rock music) and I play guitar, drums and also love to sing. I have a huge passion for live music! I’ve also found a new passion in the form of content creating/influencing on social media.
I work closely with many big brands across social media platforms and have even set up a media company(ERRIOC MEDIA LTD) which has also been going strong for a year and a half. With which I do some presenting work and even stared in a TV advert. Media work has always been hidden inside me somewhere but I never thought my carpentry career would be what would help start that journey. The pair go hand in hand especially when working with tool brands.
What motivated you to become an OX Ambassador?
OX have always been a go to brand in my earlier days of my career as I found they had a lot to offer in regard to equipment/tools for my trade. They were even one of the first brands I started working alongside in my early days of content creating and supported me in a give away and some equipment to help me out on the job. I also see OX as a huge household name in quality equipment for many trades, and to be associated with them is a huge deal and something I can proud of, it’s a big achievement! I have watched how OX have grown as a company and being associated with them since my own new journey in business I feel that we can both grow together for the foreseeable future .
What country do you most want to visit?
I have always wanted to go to Canada to work, as I special in timber frame, that would be ideal for me to put my skills to good use and also feed my passion more for that type of craft, and have that beautiful back drop everyday would be ideal. We do have some amazing views in Wales, but the weather can be a bit unpredictable. I have actually always wanted to move there if I were to ever emigrate, so maybe that could still be a possibility. If OX want to send me out there to put some of their tools to the test on a wooden home then I wouldn’t say no lol.
DANNY MADDEN
OX Ambassador for Roofing
I’m a 43 year old general builder. Award wining Roofer AKA ROTY from North London where i run my general building company passed down from my grandad to my dad and now onto me. My company MADDEN BUILDERS with our proud logo ‘Trading on Our Reputation’ which my Dad came up with in the 80s is now in its 54th year of trading. We carry out all aspects of building work including loft conversions, extensions to basements project managing the whole process. I also host The Roofing Show on FIX Radio National DAB.
How did you get into your trade?
People always ask me how long have I been in the trade? Honestly, most of my life. From getting up early with my dad at age 6 and going out with him to work on Saturdays I loved the building trade right from the start. In 2006 I attended The CITB college in Kent for Roof slate and tiling achieving a distinction and winning apprentice of the year. I went onto winning Fix Radio Roofer of The Year in 2022 something I’m extremely proud of.
Any tips for other aspiring tradies?
If I could give any advice it would be ask as many questions as possible, be willing to learn because every day is a school day and you never stop learning. Find yourself a good mentor, I was lucky I had my Dad. Put the time in to becoming the best you can be at your chosen craft and never be afraid to fail. My grandad once told me the person that never made a mistake never did much in life, failures are the only way we improve, move forward and become good at what we do. Always do good work and you’ll always have work. Never be afraid to ask for help, the construction industry is a great place, I always say to my lads Team work makes the dream work.
What are your interests and hobbies?
Ive always been into my fitness and boxed from a very young age, eventually travelling to Las Vegas to box. I go to the gym 3 times a week which is extremely important to me not only physically but for my mental health.
I think it’s extremely important to have at least an hour a few times a week to switch off from work completely, to reset ready to go again. I’ve recently got into cold dips at 6am which in a crazy way I quite enjoy. I believe it creates discipline doing something you don’t want to do but doing it anyway. I enjoy creating content and working for multiple worldwide brands on social media @maddenbuilders I love spending time with the family and going out with friends for a few cocktails especially Espresso Martini, Hey you’ve got to find that balance.
What motivated you to become an OX Ambassador?
You only have to look at OX tools to know they mean business. The logo says it all and for me that was the first appeal, These tools look good they look appealing they look well made they feel quality which is exactly what you want. They also have a huge variety of not only hand tools but cutting blades and stacking systems, there’s something for every job that OX have thought of and now to be part of it is a very proud moment for me. I attended the OX innovations event and it was exciting to see all the new products that were due too hit the shelves and even had the opportunity to film with Proffesional Builder magazine promoting the OX Pro stacking system which was incredible. They definitely are tools build to last.
What country do you most want to visit?
It’s hard to pick just one country because I’d love to Travel the world just to see and work with other trades how they do things differently, learning new tricks and tips. It fascinates me how the construction industry can differ from country to country. Maybe OX need to do a world tool trade tour.
HOLLY WELCH
OX Ambassador for Plastering
Hi my name is Holly and I have been a Plasterer for 6 years. My business is HW Plastering. After giving up my role as a PE Teacher to go travelling I returned to the UK with no idea of my next move. I was offered a labouring job by a local Plasterer. I took any work I could while I figured out what I really wanted to do. I spent plenty of time scrubbing buckets and making mixes. Before I knew it I was laying on walls and ceilings. It was not meant to be my 'forever' job. I thought it would be something to simply 'tick me over' for the time being. Turns out, I was pretty good. I worked hard, I failed, I got it wrong many times but eventually I got it right and 7 years later I now have my own very successful business.
What do you enjoy about being a plasterer?
The thing I enjoy most about plastering is how challenging the trade is. The quicker you get, the more you lay on. The better you get, the more challenging jobs you take on. It never gets easier because there's always a new challenge around the corner.
Any tips for other aspiring tradies?
My tips for aspiring plasterers is to keep trying. You won't get it right the first time or the second (and probably not the third either). Getting good at plastering takes time. 12 months is a realistic time to allow your skills to develop. After this you really begin to reap the rewards of your hard work.
What are your interests and hobbies?
Besides running my business I am also a professional competitive bodybuilder. I turned pro in 2022 after winning the British Championship with PCA.
What motivated you to become an OX Ambassador?
Becoming an Ox Ambassador was such a big deal for me as I have used Ox Tools since I began to plaster. As an experience plasterer who has tried all other brands, it really doesn't get better than Ox Tools. I swapped over all my tools to Ox and I haven't looked back since.
What country do you most want to visit?
Having done plenty of traveling there is one place I am yet to visit... The USA. A road trip is next on the bucket list but first, I have plenty of customers to prioritize before I can get that much needed downtime.
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