National Scaffolding Week, a brand new campaign from the Scaffolding Association, ran from

26th - 30th

September 2022

As a part of the campaign to inspire a new generation to take up industry roles, NSW asked people to nominate those they felt deserved some recognition for their work within the sector.

The 14 nominees were presented with their Scaff Star award by the Scaffolding Association’s President, Russell Maxwell-Smith, at the Scaffolding Conference.

Derek Wood

Safety Health and Environment Quality Manager

Morrison Energy Services

Derek has been in the scaffold industry 30 years, he has made it his mission to raise awareness of how to build and utilise scaffolds safely to those in the industry and those who use it.

“Derek is charismatic and gets his message across whilst adding a bit of humour along the way. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award as he has really raised the profile of the scaffold industry.”

Trainee Scaffolder | Powertherm

Paige is a trainee scaffolder at Powertherm and has come on leaps and bounds and really got stuck in with anything she is asked. Mick Smith, Scaffolding Contracts Manager at Powertherm said: “I was part of the team that interviewed Paige for her role and can honestly say that she was by far the best candidate. She fits right in and gets on great with fellow workers and clients alike.”

ABscaff Complete Scaffolding

“Colin has worked in the scaffolding industry since 1973 and has been instrumental in creating jobs for 100s of people during that time. He helped me set up my company as well as supported his brother and nephew in doing the same. Colin’s knowledge and expertise have meant he has had a major influence in the local area and sector.”

Andrew Nuttall

Manager and Director | DCS Scaffolding

Andrew has undertaken several charitable projects, the latest being the erecting of a temporary structure at the doctor’s surgery in Ashton to shelter people waiting outside the surgery due to Covid restrictions in place.

As a leader and manager he has turned ex-guardsmen into Class 2 HGV drivers, and unskilled labourer’s into skilled scaffolders. Andy’s greatest skill is bringing out the best in everyone.

Haven Scaffolding

Malcolm and his team enabled an abseil in aid of co-founded charity, My Mito Mission, this summer by building the necessary platform on a locally listed building - Wainhouse Tower, Halifax. Covid really hammered the charity’s income in 2020 and 2021 so this gesture was like gold dust to them as the day managed to raise £10,000+ and lots of priceless awareness too.

Employee Relations | Globe Scaffolding

Sarah helped to introduce an apprenticeship programme into the business and built great relationships with local schools and colleges to facilitate long-term recruitment plans.

This breakthrough has helped the industry provide many young people from the local area with employment opportunities and a long-term career path.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Consultant | Owen Contractors

During the lockdown, not only did Ian get 100 scaffolders back to work by putting together a risk assessment and delivering training, but he also kept everyone in the office safe and able to continue working.

Ian has worked in construction for 40 years and is passionate about men’s mental health and has co-founded two charities in construction: Mankind & SWAG, and has personally saved a groundworker’s life from the top of a bridge over the M4.

Account Manager | Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP)

David is celebrating his 25th year with ITP, an impressive milestone, after starting as a factory operator making elasticated power ties used to attach scaffold sheeting to the scaffold structure.

“David developed himself as an Account Manager within our Scaffold Team, becoming a go-to expert resource for scaffolding clients and construction professionals. He also had a major role in the development of the environmentally-friendly polyolefin temporary keder roof sheeting, widely adopted within the temporary roof industry.”

Scaffold Inspector | Speyside Scaffolding Services

Keith was diagnosed with Cancer on the 13th November 2020. Keith battled and won meanwhile keeping a positive attitude with his work colleagues and partner, Kelly. Keith returned to work in May 2021and couldn’t wait to get some sort of normality back in his life. Liam, the owner of Speyside Scaffolding, employed another inspector to work alongside Keith for as long as it would take to ensure Keith felt able to continue his role. Keith is a valued member of the team and we are all so happy that he’s all clear

Apprentice Scaffolder | Shaun Hanney

“A brilliant young man with an outstanding attitude to his work. Having reached out to us with aspirations of becoming a scaffolder, Callum was taken on as a yard operative part-time to fit around his college work. Callum would attend college during the day and make his own way to our yard every night and work until 19:00. With a little help from the team, he passed his exams with flying colours and was extremely proud of himself, as were all of us! Callum is well on his way to becoming a scaffolder!”

Freddie has been a monumental driving force behind Teal Scaffold’s success and has helped build the organisation from the ground upliterally! Since Teal Scaffold’s inception into the market, those who have been fortunate enough to work with Freddie often describe him as ‘industrious, amiable and dedicated’.

Freddie is a true leader in which his energy is invested in his dialogue, genuine appreciation, and validation of aligned efforts which had led to immeasurable employee engagement from the team. He is an ambassador not only for Teal Scaffold but for the industry as a whole.

Owner & Advanced Scaffolder | Coles Scaffolding

Martyn is an all-around top bloke who continuously champions other people. He has worked tirelessly to support Todd, his employee who has Down’s syndrome, to get recognition and training to help set him up for his career as a scaffolder, he also goes above and beyond with his charity work raising awareness for Down’s syndrome. He selfishly campaigns for other people every step of the way and fully embodies his company motto of #nostigmahere.

Commercial Estimator | Teal Scaffold

Ross is a stellar Commercial Estimator. He has diversified Teal Scaffolds’ portfolio of work immeasurably and consequently provided numerous employment and training opportunities to hard-working scaffolders from the local area.

“Ross has advocated for men’s health campaigns including partnering with the Testicular Cancer Network. Ross has not just opened avenues for our team to talk about their health in an industry that is stigmatised but he also champions opportunities for all within the industry.”

London and South Scaffolding

Dave has given lifelong service to the scaffolding trade and will be retiring next year. He is a long-standing contracts manager and is highly professional, conscientious and hardworking at all times and always with a smile on his face and good humour. He is a credit to the company and will be hugely missed when he retires.