After an exciting conclusion to the BTX Painting and Decorating Learner of the Year (LOY) Competition 2026, we are thrilled to announce this year’s Winner and Runner-Up.
Now in its second year, the competition has been a tremendous success, showcasing the outstanding skills, dedication and motivation of the next generation of UK painting and decorating students and apprentices.
Introduced in 2025, the BTX Painting and Decorating LOY Competition is a new initiative by BTX. It aims to recognise and celebrate the achievements of learners in the painting and decorating sector across the UK. This competition serves as a platform to showcase the skills and dedication of apprentices and students in this field.
The BTX Painting and Decorating LOY Competition ushers in a new era of celebrating emerging talent within the painting and decorating industry. This exciting platform is designed to highlight the most promising students and apprentices from across the UK, offering them recognition, valuable experience, and the chance to kickstart their careers in the trade. We aim to provide a springboard for competitors to achieve great success and emphasise the competition’s role in shaping the next generation of industry professionals.
It was fantastic to see the six talented finalists go head-to-head at the Grand Final, held on April 21st at Stephenson College, part of the Loughborough College Group, to complete an exercise meticulously designed by our judging partner, The Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT).
We are delighted to announce the winner of the BTX Painting and Decorating LOY Competition 2026 – congratulations to Tommy Hogarth from City College Plymouth, who claimed the prestigious title at this year’s Grand Final. Tommy set himself apart from the competition with his impressive technical skills and attention to detail.
Tommy Hogarth, representing City College Plymouth, was crowned the BTX Painting and Decorating LOY 2026 Winner, wowing the judges with their technical proficiency. Tommy shared his excitement, saying, “Amazing, definitely, like I just feel like everything that’s gone into this apprenticeship has paid off.”
Faith Loynes from Leeds College of Building secured the runner-up position, standing out to the judges in a highly competitive final.
Faith Loynes, representing Leeds College of Building, earned the title of BTX Painting and Decorating LOY 2026 Runner-Up, commenting, “It felt good. I’m very critical of myself and it’s nice to know that you can actually get somewhere.”
Throughout the regional heats and the final, the finalists demonstrated their problem-solving and technical skills, as well as their in-depth industry knowledge, completing a challenging project/exercise/task/test designed by Peter Walters and Adrian Copp, from the Association of Painting Craft Teachers (APCT).
The competition is made possible by a fantastic group of industry-leading sponsors and supporters, including Headline Sponsor Johnstone’s Trade Paint along with Tesa UK, Ciret, Fix Radio, Snickers Workwear & APCT.
Zoë Tanner, Managing Director at BTX, commented: “Now in its second year, the BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year final once again brought together outstanding emerging talent from across the trade. Finalists faced a demanding, time-pressured challenge that tested accuracy, creativity and professionalism throughout. The standard achieved was exceptionally high, raising the bar for future competitions and reflecting a bright, evolving future for the painting and decorating industry.”
Entries are now closed for 2026, but if you’d like to register your interest for any future BTX Painting & Decorating events, please fill in the form below.
Participants who have previously reached the BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year Grand Final are not eligible to enter the competition again.
Our Competition Terms and Conditions have been updated. Please ensure that you have a read of them here.
BTX Painting & Decorating Learner of the Year 2026 Final Photos
Want to relive this years competition? Check out the photos here!
Want to get involved in Learner of the Year?
Register your interest for 2027 here
