North East construction industry celebrated at annual awards

The black-tie ceremony took place at Ardoe House in front of almost 400 people.

Fourteen awards were handed out across the evening, ranging from the individual person categories which included ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and ‘Young Construction Professional of the Year’, to company categories including ‘Trades Innovation’ and ‘Excellence in Health & Safety’.

The Sue Ryder Dee View Court appeal was the chosen charity for this year’s awards and almost £7000 was raised on the night. This money will support the final stages of the charity’s own £3.9 million construction project to extend Dee View Court, allowing it to care for a further 20 people.

Stewart Milne Group was the main sponsor for the fifth year in a row and presented the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’ to Iain Garrett, chief executive of Tullos Training, for over 30 years of supporting the development of North East’s apprentices.

Neil Thomson, construction director at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “Stewart Milne Group are extremely proud to have sponsored Trades Award, now for a 5th year, and we thank all those who applied, and congratulate all of this year’s outstanding winners.

“It remains hugely important to us, that we continue to support the construction industry as a whole and do all we can to encourage and attract new people. There are lots of exciting projects ongoing in the North East, with many new projects being planned, so there has never been a better time to be in construction, and Trades Awards is the ideal way to recognise your company and people achievements.”

Mike Wilson, managing director of Mearns & Gill, organisers of the Trades Awards, added: “Once again, the Trades Awards have uncovered 14 incredible individuals and businesses, who are all helping to put the North East construction industry on the map. This year has been incredible for many reasons, from the fact that we have our highest number of female finalists ever, ranging from joiners to architects, to seeing that so many companies now understand the importance of embracing innovation to the development of the industry.

“We would like to thank everyone who continues to support the Trades Awards, allowing it to become a platform that all disciplines within construction can come together to celebrate success, and showcase the talent and expertise that we have here in the North East.”

The winners of Trades Awards 2019 were:

• Garden Design and Landscaping, sponsored by STV
  Gerbera Designs
• Home/Building Improvement, Interior – sponsored by Flexistore
  Tinto Architecture
• Home/Building Improvement, Exterior – sponsored by Life Property Management
  Annie Kenyon Developments
• Trades Innovation – sponsored by Nicol of Skene
  Stewart Milne Group
• Best New Business – sponsored by Glulam Solutions
  Annie Kenyon Developments
• Outstanding Customer Service – sponsored by Barratt Homes
  CALA Homes
• Excellence in Health & Safety – sponsored by Safety Scotland
  Stewart Milne Group
• Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Thorpe Molloy
  Jemma Sykes – Barratt Homes
• Young Construction Professional of the Year – sponsored by Aberdeen Association of Construction Professionals
  Darren Cocker – Bancon Homes
• Tradesperson of the Year – sponsored by the Evening Express
  Derek Kennedy – Stewart Milne Homes
• Site Manager of the Year- sponsored by CALA Homes
  Adam Easton- W M Donald
• Best Trades Business, 0-10 Employees – sponsored by GPH Builders Merchants
  iProtech
• Best Trades Business, 11+ Employees – sponsored by Richard Irvin FM
  JKR Contractors
• Outstanding Contribution, sponsored by Stewart Milne Group
  Iain Garrett, Tullos Training