Master pavior and landscaping genius
About Mark and his role
Mark Talbot offers technical support and industry insights to the team at The Paving Experts. With three decades of experience under his belt as a pavior and landscaper, today Mark is Director of MPave Ltd, a paving and landscaping business based in Nuneaton, Warwickshire that services the Midlands region.
Although humble in his approach, Mark enjoys sharing his tricks of the trade to help others in the industry. He comes armed with in-depth trade knowledge and landscaping wisdom from paving hundreds of small, domestic patios and right the way through to large-scale, commercial projects of 20,000 squared metres.
Mark tells us that he now has the ‘honour and privilege’ of working with his son. “I tried to encourage him to become an electrician, but he came into paving instead! But, to be honest, it has suited him very well and he’s learning quickly.
“He is already a great asset to the company,” he adds. “And who knows, if he decides he wants the added pressure, sleepless nights and loss of hair, he may even become director one day!”
Career pathway
Mark’s career in the landscaping industry started out with him out laying block paving for a friend.
“Some 30 years ago, I worked as a labourer with a friend who then worked for Tecniblock in Derby,” he shares. “After much training and further experience in the field, I then went on to run my own gang and jobs.”
Touching on his specialisms, Mark says, “I used to lay mainly flexible paving until around 15 years ago when I moved towards honing my skills in wet lay. For example, in steps and wet-lay paving using various products including bonding primers and grouts.”
Qualifications and professional development
Mark has continued to develop his professional training throughout his career to build and expand his knowledge and skills.
This extra training has included completing the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) and Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS).
Recently, Mark also completed an NVQ in Operations and Management.
MPave Ltd is an approved Constructionline company under the UK government’s certification service. Mark is also an accredited contractor under CHAS, the UK’s award-winning accreditation scheme for contractors.
More info about Mark
You’ll come across some of Mark’s latest advice on paving, including recommended materials and tools, in some of the articles listed below.
If you’re looking for an experienced landscaping and paving contractor for commercial or domestic projects in the Midlands area, contact Mark on 02476 320802 or email mark@mpaveltd.co.uk
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