In our regular feature, we find out about members of the Scottish Decorators’ Federation. This time, we hear from Callum Bonner, Managing Director of Pristine Décor Ltd
What’s your background?
Believe it or not, I didn’t start out wanting to be a painter and decorator. I left school in my fifth year because I didn’t like the learning aspect of school, I preferred to use my hands and be practical. I applied for an apprenticeship with Clackmannanshire Council and took all the aptitude tests for a joiner or a plumber. The council called me to say that those jobs had gone, but they had an opening for a painter and decorator. At that age, I was keen to get started in the world of work, so I grabbed it with both hands.
While I was at college doing my apprenticeship, I was put forward for a lot of competitions. I ended up travelling the world as part of the WorldSkills series. I went to China, I took part in EuroSkills in Hungary and, in 2019 found myself in Kazan in Russia, for WorldSkills.
Taking part in these competitions really boosts your mindset, your organisational skills and you become
so much better year after year.
After I had completed my apprenticeship, I stayed with Clackmannanshire council for another year, before starting Pristine Décor Ltd. I just celebrated five years in business last August. I’ve come a long way from just a man and a van. I’ve now got eight staff and four vans, so the business has progressed quite a bit. We cover the Clackmannanshire area, but we also take on jobs in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth.
What’s your specialty?
I think we do wallpapering really well – it’s something that we have done a lot of in many hotels and restaurants. We work with some interior designers who specify high-end coverings that require skill and precision to apply. We have two apprentices in the business and I am getting them up to speed on wallpapering so we have more people who can do it well.
We’ve also got a spray booth that we are offering as a service to customers now – internal doors, kitchen cabinets, old furniture and that sort of thing. We can bring items to the spray booth and give them
a new lease of life.
When did you join the Federation?
I became aware of the SDF about two years after I set up the business. I went through to the Scottish Painting and Decorating Show in Edinburgh and saw (past President) Mark Nevin there. We’ve always been pretty close, so he said: “Are you a member?” When he heard I wasn’t, he took me over to Neil Rogers and got me signed up there and then.
What’s the best thing about the Federation?
The Federation sends through a lot of information to keep your business on track and that is so helpful, especially when you’re young like me. Wage structures was something it helped me with – I had no idea what I should have been paying, so Neil made sure I was doing the right thing.
How has the Federation changed?
Obviously, I’ve not been in the SDF for very long, but I can see that the organisation is widening its appeal to try and gain new members, which can only be a good thing.
What’s been the biggest challenge in your career?
Nothing compares to the stress I was under while taking part in the WorldSkills series. I mean, there is a huge amount of pressure on your shoulders – especially with the amount of money going into your training. While you are working, there are tens of thousands of people walking around, watching you. It’s quite stressful. I represented the UK at Kazan and I came in eighth place in the world, earning a Medallion of Excellence, which means I scored more than 70 per cent.
I would also say that starting the business and managing it day to day while being on the tools is a huge challenge, but in a different way. People underestimate the work that you have to do just to keep on top of things.
What’s been your favourite job?
Actually, the Italian restaurant, Bar Aldo’s (pictured above) which won a SDF Painting and Decorating Award, is one of my favourites. It’s local to me, I am a customer there and I know all the staff. So, when we were asked to decorate it, it was a bit of a dream. Although there was an interior designer on the job, I was able to put my viewpoint over. For instance, I suggested marbled wallpaper panels for the walls, which just look incredible. It was a stressful job, no doubt about it and the timescales were tight, but now it’s done I am really happy with how it turned out. I can go back there for a meal, relax and just take it all in again.
What would be your dream job?
It would be great to work on a prestigious job in London or New York, something like that. Also I would love to do some work at the hospitality suites at Celtic Park, just to say that I had been there and done it.
What are your long-term plans for the business?
I’ve always been very ambitious, so from the very start, I was thinking how I could grow the business. More people, more vans, better jobs. I’d like the company to be known as the best in Scotland, or even the UK. I would consider buying out another business in a different part of the country, that way, we could expand, but with an existing workforce and customer base. We could grow the Pristine brand and become more widely known.
Can you tell us a little about your life beyond work?
I used to do Thai boxing for about 10 years, but there’s not a lot of time for that now. I still like to keep fit though, so I enjoy going to the gym. Of course, I watch Celtic whenever I can.
My partner Emma and I have been together for five years now, and we’ve just bought a place of our
own. At the moment it’s being ripped to bits so we can redecorate.