Made in Trade: Meet the person behind the tools

Martyn Hatrick, from Burnt Oak, has been with L&Q for two years, bringing a wealth of skills and a passion for his craft.

A self-starter, he’s worn many hats over the years – football player, dad, carpet fitter, multi-skilled maintenance technician, and carpenter. His journey has been one of lifelong learning and practical experience, grounded in a love for building things from scratch.

Martyn’s connection to woodworking began early; it was practically love at first joint.

“I’d build sheds in my garden out of pallet wood. One of them was especially satisfying; the seal was perfect, and it looked lovely”, said Martyn.

Creating and fixing things became second nature to him, a joy he’s shared with friends, family, and now the residents he serves.

Before joining L&Q, Martyn worked in a school, but when the opportunity to work at a social housing provider arose, he jumped at it. “I love working with people, and I’m a practical person at heart. My daughter always brings me things to fix, like ornaments – she thinks I can repair anything!” he laughs.

Martyn’s dedication to quality is evident in every job he completes. His approach, summed up by his manager as ‘going above and beyond,’ isn’t about checking off tasks on a to-do list; it’s about resident satisfaction.

“If the resident is happy, I’m happy. That’s the be-all and end-all for me,” he says. “Nine times out of ten, we get good feedback, and I thrive on that.”

Listening to Martyn, it’s clear how much he cares about helping residents. He takes a people-first approach, especially for those with additional needs.

“If I go into the home of someone who may struggle with daily tasks, I’ll go beyond what is required. Take draft excluders, for example. Older people may not be able to install those, so I’ll do it for them.

"You’d want someone to do that for your elderly relative. If I need to spend half an hour extra, I will.”

For Martyn, working in social housing goes beyond maintenance – it’s about helping people thrive in safe, comfortable homes.“Very few jobs allow you to leave a visible legacy for residents, their families and communities. That’s something really special,” he says.

At home, Martyn’s skills are put to good use, too. He’s currently renovating, partitioning the top floor to create bedrooms for his five children. His youngest daughter, Clara-Rose, five, is already showing signs of following in his footsteps.

“She’s the first one to put on her boots and come outside while the others are busy with their video games. She loves painting and building – she even wants her own saw and screwdriver!” Martyn adds proudly.

Reflecting on the shortage of women in the trades, Martyn is quick to encourage her interest.

“I’d fully support her exploring a career in the trades. There aren’t enough women in this industry, and it’s a job women can do just as well as men. I’ve got a couple of female friends in the trades, and their work is second to none."

Martyn’s career path began in carpet fitting, where he learnt on the job from friends.

“I used to watch my mates and learned from them. One day, I was shadowing on a job, and when they went out for lunch, I decided to try fitting the carpet in the smallest room. I thought, if this doesn’t work out, it’s only £80 to replace. But it turned out great!” said Martyn.

With skills acquired over years of hands-on learning, Martyn eventually set up his own carpentry business. As a self-employed tradesman, he managed everything from client relationships and sourcing materials to handling finances. He loved the independence and variety of the work, but the unpredictability of self-employment came with challenges.

“Running your own business teaches you a lot, but there’s a lot to juggle too. When you’re the one responsible for keeping up with the paperwork, it can be hard to stay focused on just doing the work you love. It was a great experience, but there’s a lot of security in being part of a team and knowing that certain things are taken care of,” he reflects.

Now with L&Q, Martyn appreciates the stability that comes with being an employee. "Working for a company, you show up, do your job well, and you don’t have to worry about taxes, insurance, invoices, or finding cover when someone is sick. I get to do seven or eight jobs a day, meet new people, and make a difference. That’s the best part."

For those seeking a career with variety, stability, and purpose, Martyn has one piece of advice: consider the trades. It’s a rewarding path with real impact – and, as Martyn’s story proves, a chance to channel your passion into a force for good.