Steve Craig has taken office as the 102nd President of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF), pledging to deepen member engagement, press for improvements to apprenticeship funding and retention, and ensure the profession is central to debates on skills, competence and low‑carbon delivery.

Commenting on his appointment, Steve Craig said: "Becoming SNIPEF President is a tremendous honour and a very humbling experience. I see it as an opportunity to give something back to a profession that has given me my livelihood.

"I am eager to help steer SNIPEF forward for the benefit of our members and the wider profession. I want to be present and accessible, listening to as many members as possible, understanding the challenges they face and ensuring SNIPEF continues to provide the support our profession needs."

Craig entered the trade in 1979 as an apprentice plumber with Munro Petrosea in Dundee. He went on to build a broad career across plumbing and heating firms before co‑founding APS Dundee Ltd in 2012 with business partner Alan Greene.

His connection with SNIPEF grew through the Dundee and District Plumbing Employers Association, where he was an active member and later President. He then progressed through multiple leadership roles within SNIPEF, culminating in his election to the Federation's top office.

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Drawing on more than 45 years' experience spanning apprenticeship, business ownership and industry representation, Craig says his focus is to support members, strengthen the sector's influence and ensure SNIPEF delivers tangible value across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A central theme for his year in office is to boost participation and dialogue across the membership so their insights directly shape SNIPEF's agenda.

He explained: "SNIPEF can only grow and move forward with the active involvement of its members. They are the voice, experience and strength behind our organisation.

"I want to see more members engage with us, work with us and help shape the future of the organisation. The stronger and more engaged our membership is, the stronger our voice becomes when representing the profession and influencing positive change."

Craig also highlighted pressing challenges around taking on and retaining apprentices, and the support required for employers to keep investing in training.

He said: "I am acutely aware of the pressures facing employers who continue to invest in training the next generation. While cost is undoubtedly a major factor, the challenges are far more complex than that alone.

"Many of our members are small and medium-sized businesses carrying significant responsibility when it comes to apprenticeship recruitment and training. We need to ensure they have the confidence, support and resources required to continue investing in the workforce of the future.

"SNIPEF has already undertaken extensive research to better understand these challenges and has been engaging closely with government on apprenticeship funding reform. I look forward to playing an active role in helping drive that work forward during my presidency."

He stressed the importance of sustained engagement with governments and policymakers to address the profession's long‑term needs and to underpin wider policy goals.

He added: "The plumbing and heating profession plays a vital role in delivering safe, efficient buildings and supporting the transition to low-carbon technologies. Government ambitions around housing, skills and net zero cannot be achieved without a skilled and supported workforce.

"We must continue to ensure our profession remains visible, that our members' voices are heard and that policymakers fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing our industry.

"By working together, engaging with our members and continuing to strengthen SNIPEF's voice, we can help secure a positive future for the profession and the generations that follow."

Craig's presidency runs from 5 June 2026 to 4 June 2027.