About James

James Ashworth is one of the UK's most experienced rubber flooring specification experts, with over 18 years dedicated to commercial rubber flooring and surface specification. As Head of Flooring Specifications at Rubberco, James leads the technical advisory team, ensuring every client receives accurate, compliant and fit-for-purpose flooring solutions.

Prior to joining Rubberco, James served as a technical adviser to the British Contract Flooring Association (BCFA), where he helped shape industry guidance on flooring selection, HSE compliance and installation standards. His dual expertise in civil engineering and flooring specification makes him one of the most sought-after voices in the sector.

James holds an HNC in Civil Engineering and has accumulated extensive practical knowledge across NHS hospital environments, local authority buildings, Premier League training facilities and commercial gym chains. He has a particular passion for matching the right rubber flooring product to the specific demands of each application — whether that's a high-traffic hospital corridor, a performance gym floor or a demanding industrial workspace.

At Rubberco, James is responsible for the technical accuracy of all product specifications and buyer guides. He works directly with procurement teams, facility managers, gym operators and contractors to specify rubber flooring solutions that meet both functional requirements and regulatory obligations.

Areas of Expertise

• Commercial gym flooring — performance surfaces, shock absorption, free weight zones, cardio areas
• Industrial rubber matting — anti-fatigue, chemical-resistant, electrical-insulating and heavy-duty applications
• HSE compliance — slip resistance ratings, Pendulum Test Values (PTV), R-value classifications
• Safety flooring — DIN 51130 testing, wet area flooring, entrance matting systems
• Entrance matting — barrier matting, scraper mats, drainage grilles, recessed entrance systems
• Rubber tiles and sheeting — specification of rolls, tiles and custom-cut rubber flooring
• Sports flooring — multi-use sports halls, MUGA surfaces, outdoor sports areas

Notable Projects & Achievements

• Specified rubber flooring for 3 major NHS hospital refurbishments across England
• Consulted on gym flooring specification for 12 Premier League club training facilities
• Authored Rubberco's HSE Compliance Guide for Rubber Flooring
• Developed Rubberco's technical specification matrix for over 200 rubber flooring SKUs
• Delivered CPD-accredited flooring specification training for contractors and architects
• Consulted for multiple UK local authorities on school and leisure centre flooring programmes

Qualifications & Memberships

• HNC in Civil Engineering
• Former Technical Adviser, British Contract Flooring Association (BCFA)
• HSE Compliance Specialist — Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
• CPD Accredited Trainer in Flooring Specification
• 18+ years hands-on experience across commercial, industrial and healthcare sectors

James's Latest Articles

James regularly writes expert guides, buying advice and technical articles for the Rubberco blog. His articles are read by thousands of facility managers, gym operators, contractors and buyers every month.

Articles by James Ashworth are published on the Rubberco blog.