The On The Tools Awards are finished for 2023! We celebrated the very best and brightest that the construction industry has to offer on 9th November at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. Huge thanks to headline sponsor Jewson for supporting the event.
The winners have officially been revealed!
The On The Tools Awards celebrate the best of UK construction. We’re thrilled to have Jewson as our headline sponsor this year.
‘It is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise everyone in the sector who goes above and beyond and to shine a spotlight on the talented and skilled tradespeople we have in our industry. We can’t wait to see all the entries and look forward to celebrating with everyone on the night’.
– Gareth Drew, Marketing Director, Jewson
The winners for the 2023 On The Tools Awards will be announced over a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Thursday 9th of November at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. Drinks and dancing will continue long into the night.
Set in the heart of the UK, the event is accessible to all and provides the perfect opportunity to network and celebrate achievements amongst peers, friends and colleagues in the industry.
Entries are officially closed for the 2023 On The Tools Awards. The shortlist has been announced and the winners will be revealed at the ceremony in November. The winner in each category will win up to £1,000 in prize money graciously provided by the category sponsor as well as a coveted On The Tools Barry Head trophy.
MEET THE FINALISTS
If you’ve taken the decision to learn a trade as an apprentice, you’re already a winner! But to become our apprentice of the year you’ll really bring something special to your craft – whether that’s dedication, teamwork, skill or your good humour. We’re looking for a nominee that breaks down the stereotypes that can be levelled at apprentices, showing why they are the future of the industry.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by CT1
The ‘branch manager of the year’ will be nothing short of a brilliant boss and ally to tradespeople. The winning candidate of this award will carry the ship with its crew and never lose sight of how beneficial a constructive team environment can be.
The winner of this award will receive £250 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Band of Builders
The ‘bricklayer of the year’ will have nerves sharper than the edge of their trowel. The winning nominee will lay with precision, never accepting a wonky wall and always striving for perfection.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
This award is dedicated to Richie Maxwell.
Sponsored by Jewson
Gareth Drew, Marketing Director at Jewson says:
“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the 2023 On The Tools awards. It is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise everyone in the sector who goes above and beyond and to shine a spotlight on the talented and skilled tradespeople we have in our industry. We can’t wait to see all the entries and look forward to celebrating with everyone on the night.”
The ‘carpenter of the year’ award will go to the most skilled woodworker imaginable, super sanding, perfect precision and an incredible eye are all things the winning candidate will possess.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Paslode
“Paslode are extremely proud to be sponsors of the On The Tools ‘Carpenter of the Year’ award this year. The hard work and skills possessed by our carpenters always impress us, and it is great to have the opportunity to recognise their efforts. We’re looking forward to passing this prestigious award over to someone who represents the very best of the carpentry trade.”
– John Deakin, National Sales Manager, Paslode UK & Ireland
The ‘electrician of the year’ will emit an electric attitude to their trade, ensuring their clients receive the best in quality and organisation. The winning candidate will keep up to date with ever changing regulations, work well with others on site, and be an expert problem solver.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Checkatrade
The ‘groundworker of the year’ will be someone who isn’t afraid to get stuck in, and someone who they knows where and when they are needed on site. They will be a great team player or leader, and an expert in operating machines with caution.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
The ‘Kitchen fitter of the year’ will deliver the very best in speed and quality, to provide the perfect kitchen space (arguably one of the most important rooms in any home). We’re looking for an outgoing and committed individual, who knows how to curate the best in cuppa-making spaces.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Kitchen Kit
The ‘landscaper of the year’ will be an expert in their (bush) craft. We’re looking for someone who only settles for the best, someone who is able to execute a client’s vision all before leaving the site cleaner than a jet washed slab.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
The ‘painter/decorator of the year’ should see a blank wall as an opportunity to do some smashing work. They will provide quality, seamless results, and evidence of truly transforming a space. The winning candidate will only settle for the best, taking pride in every stroke of their brush.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Armstead
“With rising inflation and the cost of living crisis, 2023 has so far been a year of economic uncertainty, but it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, the trade has been powering on through it all, completing projects to extremely high standards and supporting one another throughout difficult times. As such, it’s important that we recognise those within the industry that continue to do a sterling job, no matter what. That’s why we are delighted to be sponsoring the Painter and Decorator category in the On The Tools Awards 2023. The awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate industry successes and for the trade to receive the recognition they deserve.”
– Rebecca Orton, Marketing Manager at Dulux Trade
The ‘plasterer of the year’ will be an expert in their craft, leaving every job with a smooth finish. The winning nominee will appreciate and practice precision when on site, making sure every customer is left happy.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Ox Tools
“OX Speedskim is proud to present the 2023 Plasterer of the Year Award. Speedskim is designed to enhance the professional plasterer’s performance on-site by ensuring a smoother, flatter finish while increasing speed and reducing strain or injury on-site. OX is proud to celebrate the achievements of all the Plasterer of the Year nominees.”
The ‘plumber of the year’ will have no fear, getting stuck in no matter what hour the call-out comes at. We’re looking for a knowledgeable plumber, one who knows pipes like the back of their hand, and provides results that make people feel safe and warm in their homes.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Polypipe Building Products.
The ‘roofer of the year’ should be someone others look up to. A trusted and talented individual, who takes care in ensuring every tile and rafter is laid safely.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by SIG Roofing
“We are really excited to sponsor the 2023 roofer of the year award with On The Tools, celebrating the best work in this community for the Roofing Industry. Our success depends on our customers, and our focus is to continue to work closer with the roofing and general construction communities, to consistently deliver what they need all under one roof.”
– Chris Lodge, MD SIG Exteriors (SIG Roofing)
The ‘site manager of the year’ is nothing short of everyone’s favourite gaffa. We’re looking for a hardworking individual who cares for their team both on a professional and personal level.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Speedy
“Speedy Hire are once again proud to support On The Tool Awards for the second successive year. The UK Trade community are the backbone of the UK economy and at Speedy Hire we want to ensure that Tradespeople get the recognition they deserve.”
– David Sedgwick, Senior Marketing Manager
The ‘community hero’ award will go to someone using their free time, expertise or resources to volunteer their services and better the community. Whether that is demonstrating that they are a community leader, through selfless acts of giving back to others or supporting and up-skilling apprentices. The winning candidate will know and fight for the struggles of tradespeople, stay involved and go out of their way to benefit the community as a whole.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by CEF
“At CEF, we’re passionate about giving something back to the local communities in which we live and work. So we’re proud to sponsor the Community Hero award. It’s our way of recognising exceptional individuals who really go above and beyond every day. These local heroes spark positive change and improve the lives of the people and communities they serve.”
– Joint CEF CEO, Chris Ashworth
Are you using tools like social media to uphold the highest standards in the trade? In an external field but helping to make life better for tradespeople? Or maybe you’re using your platform to raise awareness of an issue like the skills gap or health and safety. If so, this is the category for you. The ‘special recognition award’ will go to someone who needs their extra commitment to raising the profile of the trade to be recognised.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Trade Direct Insurance Services LTD
To win the title, ‘tradesperson of the year’ we are looking for someone who goes above and beyond, consistently. Someone who takes pride in their work, delivers at a consistent high quality and ensures their customers are getting the best result. The ideal candidate will be approachable, respectful and a champion of the UK construction industry.
This award will be chosen from the pool of category winners.
The winner of this award will receive £1,000 in prize money and a Barry Head trophy.
Sponsored by Jewson
Gareth Drew, Marketing Director at Jewson says:
“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of the 2023 On The Tools awards. It is a great opportunity to celebrate and recognise everyone in the sector who goes above and beyond and to shine a spotlight on the talented and skilled tradespeople we have in our industry. We can’t wait to see all the entries and look forward to celebrating with everyone on the night.”
(Entries open for businesses only)
Have you delivered a training programme that’s really made a difference?
Elevate your business by entering to win the ‘Training Excellence Award’ at the prestigious 2023 ‘On The Tools Awards’. Showcase your dedication to empowering newcomers and honing experts through exceptional training programmes. The winner of this award will be a training provider with a proven passion for successfully shaping our industry’s talent.
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