Roy Croft (December 1953–January 2026) will be remembered not only as a respected figure within the tiling industry, but as a devoted family man and a true gentleman whose kindness and integrity left a lasting impression on everyone he met. In 2019, he was deeply honoured to receive TTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award – a fitting tribute to a lifetime of dedication, craftsmanship, and service to the tiling community he cared so much about.
Roy left school in 1967, just shy of his 15th birthday, and began what would become a lifelong passion. He started by helping his dad – mixing grouts, loading and unloading lorries, and lending a hand wherever it was needed. Those early days laid the foundation for a career built on hard work, pride and perseverance. After completing his tiling apprenticeship at Vauxhall College, Roy went on to work as a fixer for more than 25 years, earning the respect and friendship of colleagues and clients alike.
With determination and vision, Roy later established his own business, which grew into Stortford Tiling & Marble as it stands today. Nothing meant more to him than seeing his family by his side. In 2009, his two sons and daughter became directors of the company, continuing the legacy he had worked so hard to build. His pride only grew when his granddaughter, having studied to become a quantity surveyor, joined the business – carrying the family tradition into its fifth generation and into a bright future.
Beyond his professional achievements, Roy will be fondly remembered for his warmth, humility, and generosity. He dedicated much of his time to supporting St Clare Hospice in Harlow, organising an annual industry Golf Day, that brought people together for a wonderful cause and to date has raised over £52,000. He also generously gave his time as a volunteer for TTA’s General Purposes & Marketing Committee, always ready to support and strengthen the industry he loved.
Roy’s legacy lives on not only in the business he built, but in the family he cherished, the community he supported, and the many lives he quietly and generously touched. A real gentleman in every sense of the word, he will be deeply missed.
Main photo, L to R: David Forbes (TTA Board Director) with Roy Croft
