PDA Premier Trophy Awards 2022

A STRIKING REVAMP of a landmark lighthouse was declared the Supreme Winner at our recent Premier Trophy Awards held at the Plaisterers’ Hall in London. Bristol-based painting and decorating contractor, Ian Williams Ltd won the Industrial category for its work at Longstone Lighthouse, and went on to be declared Supreme Winner at the awards ceremony.

A team from the contractor lived and worked at the lighthouse for three weeks, facing challenges including the location and environment as well as the weather and supply constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other winning projects across the eight award categories included work at Manchester Airport, the Theatre Royal and a property on the Chatsworth Estate. Chief Executive of the PDA, Neil Ogilvie said, “I’d like to thank our award sponsors and our independent judges, who are all members of the Institute of Clerk of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI).

“They visited all short-listed projects to assess the quality of work and gain insight into the challenges overcome to produce the final result. “Congratulations to all the winners and those who received commendations, on the skill, professionalism and commitment to quality that is recognised with these awards.”

The results of the PDA’s annual Apprentice of the Year competition were also announced at the Premier Trophy Awards. After three regional heats which saw 42 apprentices take on a gruelling six-hour challenge of stamina and skill, the top three in the Junior and Senior categories were all in invited to the awards ceremony.

Senior Apprentice of the Year was Nicole Smith from Bell Group, who is studying at Queenslie Training Centre in Glasgow.

Joint runners-up were Leeds College of Building student, Sophie Bennett, working at RBP Décor, and Archie Brook, studying at Doncaster College and working for Wrights Contractors Ltd.

The Junior Apprentice of the Year was Harry Davies of LDC Decorating Contractors Ltd, studying at Leeds College of Building.

Joint runners-up were Katie White of Ian Williams Ltd, studying at New City College, and Jade Oakes of Ciaran Rooney Painting who is studying at Riverside College.

The competition heats were judged by Neil Ogilvie and Ann Cook from the Association of Painting Crafts Teachers.

Ann said, “Congratulations to all the competitors, and particularly to the prize winners who produced ‘just that bit extra’ when working under pressure. “The apprentices conducted themselves professionally and were a credit to both their employers and training providers.” Brewers Decorator Centres were the main sponsors of the event. Silver sponsors were jobmate, tesa, Citation and Axus Décor.

Loyal sponsors were Mirka, Owatrol, Purdy, Crown, Dulux Trade, CT1, Valspar Trade, Repair Care and Johnstone’s Trade. Sponsors of the Apprentice of the Year competition were CITB and Purdy, with materials and goody bags sponsored by Brewers Decorator Centres and tesa.

For more about the Premier Trophy Awards, and how to enter, visit www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk