Enjoy the full interview with Aidan in a special Rising Star episode of The kbbreview Podcast. Listen now using the player above or go straight to it in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

When Aidan joined the Lima Kitchens team around 18 months ago, it wasn’t just his technical skills that impressed design and marketing director Elizabeth Pantling–Jones. 

“When Aidan arrived, we could see his potential that extended beyond technical skills,” she says. “While his installation abilities needed refining, his natural aptitude for client relationships and business growth was evident from the start.”

Since then, Parish has continued to impress his colleagues with not only his technical skills and eagerness to improve, but his aptitude and understanding of how craftsmanship and business growth intertwine. 

But what is it about fitting kitchens that Parish loves so much? Aside from working with his colleagues at Lima and building relationships with clients, perhaps unsurprisingly for a kitchen fitter, it’s getting to see the end result that gives him the most pleasure and keeps him motivated.  

“Kitchen fitting can be difficult at times,” he explains, “there’s often challenges to navigate but when you finally get the kitchen in and finished, it’s just a great feeling. Especially when you see how you’ve managed to take the design concept and turn it into a reality. I still get a real kick out of that part of the job.” 

What’s exciting for the industry is that, at just 25, Parish shows great promise and is clearly keen to further his career in the sector. But don’t just take our word for it, here’s Lima’s design and marketing director Elizabeth Pantling-Jones with the last word.  

“Aidan’s story exemplifies exactly what the Rising Star award celebrates,” she says. “Not just achievement, but the promise of even greater things to come. We will support and guide him in becoming a champion in promoting this line of work and lessening the impending skills shortage upon our industry.

“We’re immensely proud to have Aidan as part of our team and look forward to supporting the next chapter in his promising career.”

• Find out more about each of our Rising Star finalists at kbbreview.com. The winner will be crowned at the glittering awards ceremony at Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom on April 24.