Welcoming visitors to the 7th LEEA Awards at Liverpool’s iconic Anfield stadium, Oliver Auston, the Chair of the LEEA Board, acknowledged how the spectacular attendance of 450 folks was virtually double that of the primary the awards. “It’s not possible not to consider how far LEEA has come within the final 2 years, the final decade and in addition since that assembly of our personal founding fathers in 1944, once they established the London Chain Testers Affiliation.” He added: “That is an affiliation that I genuinely consider has the momentum, the route and definitely the urge for food to progress and innovate.”
Anfield has many cups on show, gained by Liverpool FC all through its historical past. On the night time of 18th November they have been joined by ten particular trophies introduced to the next winners of the LEEA Awards 2025:
- Rising Expertise Award, sponsored by Technical Built-in Companies LDA: Rory Stewart of Europa Engineering Group.
- Excellence in Individuals Growth: SCE Academy, Road Cranexpress Ltd.
- Technical Excellence and Professionalism Award: Justin Powers, Choose Plant Rent.
- Coach of the Yr – The Craig Morelli Award: Jim Beauchamp, Boilermaker Nationwide Coaching Belief Fund / Worldwide Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
- Excellence in Management, sponsored by Hoist: Steve Hutin, Rope & Sling Specialists.
- Sustainability Excellence Award: pewag UK Group.
- Excellence in Service Innovation Award: Lifting by Design, MGF.
- Excellence in Product Innovation, sponsored by Worldwide Carry & Hoist (ILH) joint winners: RUD CCS FASTLOX and BlueSupra, YOKE Industrial Corp.
- Excellence in Security Award, sponsored by Rigging Companies: Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba).
- Excellence in Lifting Operations Award, sponsored by IMES: Gareth McNary, Choose Plant Rent.
Dr Ross Moloney, LEEA CEO and co-host of the ceremony, mentioned: “This yr’s awards attracted extra purposes than any earlier yr and competitors was fierce. A particular thanks to our 27 judges. And our deepest and heartfelt congratulations to all of our shortlisted candidates, with a specific point out to our runners up.”
Particular visitor for the night was former England Rugby Worldwide, Will Greenwood, who enthralled the viewers together with his tales together with his experiences with England’s World Cup profitable staff in 2003 – a match through which he was the joint high strive scorer. He talked with most of the visitors on the finish of the ceremony.
Friends have been generously scanning the QR codes on the screens to donate to Thoughts to assist with the fantastic work carried out by the psychological well being charity earlier than the displays for the awards commenced.
Winners intimately
The LEEA Award 2025 winner particulars are as follows:
Rising Expertise Award, sponsored by Technical Built-in Companies LDA, honours people who reveal excellent promise, initiative and potential for future success, inspiring others and serving as exemplary position fashions.
The winner is Rory Stewart of Europa Engineering Group. At simply 22, Rory has already made his mark on his organisation and the broader lifting trade. His drive and imaginative and prescient have led to the profitable management of a newly acquired division, the creation of an ex-forces coaching pipeline and the introduction of structured skilled improvement. With a powerful give attention to sustainability and innovation, Rory’s achievements replicate maturity past his years – inspiring these round him and setting a excessive normal for the subsequent era of trade leaders.
The judges mentioned of Rory’s nomination: “Superb examples got of influence and measurable outcomes. Additionally good when it comes to integrating 16 new workers”. Rory “has contributed very positively to his firm’s tradition and seems to have delivered an influence”. Lastly, the entry confirmed “wonderful alignment with LEEA’s mission and values”.
Runner up is Blagoy Manzurov of Sunbelt Leases.
Excellence in Individuals Growth recognises people and organisations that champion the expansion and improvement of their folks, making a tradition the place studying, innovation and excellence can thrive.
The winner is SCE Academy, Road Cranexpress Ltd. Road Cranexpress is main the best way in creating the subsequent era of lifting professionals by its modern SCE Academy. By offering structured coaching and mentorship and clear profession paths, the corporate has seen actual success, together with apprentices who’ve accomplished Stage 3 Diplomas and progressed to totally certified engineers. Partnering with the College of Sheffield’s superior Manufacturing Analysis Centre, the Academy combines world-class technical coaching with specialist trade information. This forward-thinking method not solely creates high-quality native jobs but additionally helps safe the way forward for the UK Lifting trade to make sure a powerful, expert workforce for years to come back.
The judges mentioned this detailed and properly supported entry highlighted “real dedication to workforce improvement” and the clearly articulated submission confirmed “significant funding in abilities and coaching” in addition to “convincing proof of a proactive method to nurturing and empowering folks”.
Runner up is MGF.
Technical Excellence and Professionalism Award recognises people who not solely excel of their technical experience but additionally set the usual for professionalism and management inside their subject. It celebrates those that actively search to enhance, embrace challenges and encourage colleagues by their dedication to steady studying and development, making an enduring influence on each their organisation and wider trade.
The winner is Justin Powers, Choose Plant Rent. Justin is a extremely pushed and devoted skilled, dedicated to each private improvement and trade excellence. He takes the time to totally perceive laws, requirements and finest follow to make sure knowledgeable and efficient selections. Instrumental in constructing and rising Choose Plant Rent’s Check & Inspection division, Justin performed a key position in reaching and sustaining UKAS ISO 17020 accreditation. His ardour, experience and relentless drive for enchancment have helped the division win a number of trade awards and set new benchmarks on main development tasks. Colleagues admire his work ethic, information and infectious enthusiasm for the lifting and inspection trade.
The judges mentioned: “Justin’s ardour, management and dedication to excellence set a shining instance for the lifting trade.” They added: “Justin demonstrates distinctive technical experience and professionalism, driving steady enchancment and setting new requirements throughout the lifting and inspection trade.”
Runner up is Tim Wilson, Lifting Options Group UK.
Coach of the Yr – The Craig Morelli Award recognises and celebrates trainers from the LEEA Accredited Coaching Scheme who reveal distinctive talent, dedication and professionalism of their work. It honours those that go above and past to encourage, information and develop others, making a tangible influence on their studying and success. Candidates for this award constantly present a ardour for sharing information, fostering progress and elevating requirements inside the lifting trade, serving to to form the subsequent era of expert professionals.
The winner is Jim Beauchamp, Boilermaker Nationwide Coaching Belief Fund / Worldwide Brotherhood of Boilermakers. Jim Beauchamp’s affect as a coach goes far past numbers. It’s seen within the lasting transformation he conjures up in people, organisations and the rigging trade as an entire. By means of his management of the ITI Grasp Rigger Coaching Program, Jim has pushed measurable enhancements in learner efficiency, office security and workforce improvement. Since its launch, he has efficiently established this system in Alberta and Ontario, coaching over 486 individuals throughout Canada, with distinctive completion and retention charges. Graduates constantly report significant talent improvement and understanding, describing this system as a career-defining expertise that has deepened their information and confidence within the commerce.
The judges mentioned: “Jim has modified the best way folks take into consideration rigging in Canada. Almost 500 staff have skilled below him, and plenty of say it’s the most effective studying expertise of their careers. He teaches with ardour and readability, serving to folks not simply to cross programs, however to actually perceive, take satisfaction in and work safer of their commerce.” Additionally they mentioned: “Jim brings rigging to life in a method few trainers can. His mix of old-school know-how and fashionable instructing instruments makes complicated concepts click on for everybody within the room. That is shared within the testimonials that prospects and trade friends have given within the supporting paperwork.”
Runner up is Malcolm Peacock, pewag UK Group.
Excellence in Management, sponsored by Hoist. Management can typically be a lonely place. Leaders carry the last word accountability – making robust selections, dealing with troublesome conversations, and staying composed even after sleepless nights. But with out sturdy management, progress stalls and innovation loses its spark. This class celebrates a person whose imaginative and prescient, drive, and willpower have made a measurable influence; somebody who has efficiently guided their organisation towards progress, enchancment, and a extra dynamic future. The award seeks clear proof of imaginative and prescient, ambition, and dynamism in motion.
The winner is Steve Hutin, Rope & Sling Specialists. Steve is a very inspirational chief whose imaginative and prescient and integrity have remodeled RSS from a small South Wales depot right into a thriving nationwide enterprise with 10 depots, 84 workers and a £12.3 million turnover. Regardless of this progress, he has stayed true to his family-run values, fostering a caring, people-first tradition the place each worker feels valued. Captivated with improvement, Steve champions studying by initiatives like his new ‘study and earn’ programme, serving to almost 100 staff members achieve LEEA {qualifications}. His modern method to security, digitalisation, and sustainability continues to lift trade requirements and. encourage these round him.
The judges mentioned: “Steve clearly demonstrates unique considering, rising expertise use and strategic innovation.” There was “Good proof of measurable progress, innovation, security influence and workforce improvement” and “Steve is clearly a extensively revered and inspirational determine inside the lifting trade.”
Runner up is Ali Al Baqali of Aluminium Bahrain.
The Sustainability Excellence Award recognises organisations taking significant steps to safe a greater future, for his or her enterprise, their folks, and the planet. We search for clear examples of tackling sustainability challenges, whether or not in workforce practices, vitality use, or provide chains. Shortlisted candidates reveal measurable success in bettering enterprise practices, decreasing environmental influence, and constructing long-term resilience.
The winner is pewag UK Group, which is taking sustainability into its personal fingers by producing renewable vitality in-house by photovoltaic programs, hydroelectric vegetation, and a biomass energy plant. In 2024, the corporate produced 6,697 MWh of self-generated vitality, with some websites reaching as much as 69% selfsufficiency, chopping reliance on exterior grids and delivering lasting carbon financial savings. Sustainability is embedded at each stage of pewag, with the CEO and Supervisory Board driving long-term ESG targets, together with a goal for CO2 impartial manufacturing by 2030. This dedication is supported by a structured method that brings collectively administration, interdisciplinary groups, and exterior specialists to show technique into motion.
The judges mentioned it was “a outstanding achievement inside the environmental sustainability subject”, including: “By means of CEO-driven governance and intensive multi-department collaboration, it’s spectacular to see and perceive the 14,000 hours of coaching that has been delivered through the pewag Academy. Different producers ought to try to fulfill and exceed the excessive bar that pewag has applied.”
Runner up is GAP Rent Options.
The Excellence in Service Innovation Award celebrates providers which were remodeled by creativity and forward-thinking innovation. We’re on the lookout for unique concepts – whether or not utterly new providers or important enhancements to present ones – that ship actual added worth to prospects. Companies that leverage digital expertise, embrace good options, or are developed by shut collaboration with purchasers are particularly welcomed, as they reveal each innovation and a customer-focused method.
The winner is Lifting by Design, MGF. MGF’s Lifting by Design service gives a tailor-made, engineered different to straightforward off-the-shelf options. Developed in response to rising demand for customised lifting programs, it bridges the hole between normal gear and totally bespoke design, delivering clear enhancements in security, effectivity, and efficiency for its customers.
The judges mentioned the nomination confirmed “clear proof of ahead considering with steady enchancment embedded”, and “Originality by repurposing present fleet parts into bespoke lifting programs”,
Runner up is BlueSupra, YOKE Industrial Corp.
Excellence in Product Innovation, sponsored by Worldwide Carry & Hoist (ILH) recognises members who’re remodeling the lifting trade with ingenious new merchandise. Shortlisted candidates clearly tackle a real trade want, provide a novel or considerably improved answer and make lifting operations safer, extra environment friendly or extra versatile. Profitable merchandise reveal originality, sensible usability and forward-thinking design that helps the trade function at increased requirements in difficult environments.
The joint winners are: RUD CCS FASTLOX and BlueSupra, YOKE Industrial
Corp.
The RUD CCS FASTLOX represents a big step ahead in lifting expertise. As the primary clickable clevis shackle, it was developed to boost each effectivity and security in lifting operations. Its intuitive ‘Insert – Click on – Lock – Achieved’ design removes the necessity for bolts, nuts, or cotter pins, permitting connections to be made as much as 80% quicker than conventional programs. This easy but extremely efficient innovation demonstrates how considerate engineering can streamline operations whereas sustaining the best requirements of security and reliability.
The judges mentioned: “This can be a superb product with actual advantages to threat discount,” including that it has a “very modern design decreasing human error considerably,” and “Modern and artistic. It addresses a recognized and to date unresolved drawback.”
BlueSupra is YOKE Industrial Corp’s daring step into the way forward for lifting. Designed with the EU’s upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Merchandise Regulation (ESPR) in thoughts, BlueSupra is prepared for 2027 and past – carrying a built-in Digital Product Passport (DPP) from day one. Because the world’s first born-digital lifting answer, its DPP functionality is built-in proper into the {hardware} from the forging stage, making compliance easy whereas setting a brand new normal for efficiency, security, and innovation.
The judges mentioned: “The product has the capability to be a market chief,” and “sustainability clearly achieved by decreasing waste,” and the “LEEA mission of lifting requirements worldwide is clearly achieved right here because it’s a world product.”
The Excellence in Security Award, sponsored by Rigging Companies, recognises organisations that place the best precedence on the well being, wellbeing, and security of their workers. We search candidates who reveal management in creating a powerful security tradition, implement modern security practices or applied sciences, and present a dedication to steady enchancment in security administration. Entries ought to spotlight measurable influence, proactive threat administration, and initiatives that transcend compliance to make lifting operations safer for everybody concerned.
The winner is Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba). Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) units the usual for industrial security with its ‘Security First, Security At all times’ tradition. Its dedication to defending workers is measurable and spectacular: as of September 2025, Alba achieved 39 million protected working hours with no Misplaced Time Harm, a record-setting milestone. The corporate has additionally gone 9 consecutive summers with no single heat-related damage, because of proactive threat administration, focused well being campaigns, and robust management engagement. Alba’s achievements reveal how a deeply embedded security tradition could make an actual distinction, each on-site and throughout the broader group.
The judges mentioned: “That is an inspiring instance of proactive security administration, combining innovation and workforce engagement throughout the group.” They added: “39 million protected working hours with out Misplaced Time Harm (LTI) as of three September 2025 – an unbelievable achievement.”
Runner up is WH Scott Group.
The Excellence in Lifting Operations Award, sponsored by IMES, recognises and celebrates people or groups who reveal distinctive talent in executing lifting operations safely, effectively, and in full compliance with laws and trade finest practices.
The winner is Gareth McNary, Choose Plant Rent. Throughout the M25 Junction 10 / A3 Wisley Interchange mission, Gareth led his staff by complicated bridge beam installations with distinctive professionalism and care. He labored intently together with his colleagues to develop a lifting technique that delivered excellent security and effectivity whereas decreasing environmental influence. Recognized for his integrity and robust moral management, Gareth conjures up confidence and respect inside his staff, setting a shining instance of what nice management in lifting operations seems like.
The judges mentioned this was a “well-presented entry showcasing excellent management and modern considering in lifting operations” and there was “very clear proof of upholding LEEA’s imaginative and prescient and values”.
Runner up is Shrewsbury Hospital Undertaking, MGF.
Along with the ten award classes open to entry, it was LEEA’s nice privilege and honour to current its Excellent Contribution Award to Len Latham, Richard Cash, Kevin Smith, Tony Stringer and Chris Towne in recognition of their excellent commitments and contributions to the Affiliation over a few years.
ENDS
