“Excellence and dedication” were the focus of the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCoBM) City & Awards luncheon, hosted at the spectacular Painters’ Hall on Monday 17 March, 2025.
Now in its 13th year, the annual event celebrates the achievements of rising stars in the builders’ merchant sector, as well as highlighting exceptional service among WCoBM’s military affiliations and rewarding the accomplishments of other organisations or individuals the Company is proud to support through its Education & Training Charitable Fund. These include the Beckenham & Penge Sea Cadets, City and Guilds of London Arts School, the Build Up Foundation and No going back. The event also recognises wider industry achievements around environmental best practice through its ‘Caring for the Environment’ award.
One of the Livery’s most popular events, the Awards brings WCoBM Liverymen and Freemen together and gives young people the opportunity to network with senior industry professionals, as well as getting what is often their first experience of a Livery company.
WCoBM Master Steve Boyer said: “I am delighted to stand here today to celebrate the very best of our industry. We have gathered to celebrate the excellence achieved by individuals both in the building materials industry and beyond, to the brilliant merchants who shape our environment, to the dedication of the men and women in our armed forces and the inspiring cadets who are the future of our nation, and we cannot thank you all enough.”
Each year, the Awards celebrate the best students who have undergone learning through the Builders’ Merchants Federation’s (BMF) training programmes. The BMF student winners were:
Best Online Student: George Longworth, Peppard Building Supplies. George completed an impressive 48 online courses this year, including 8 BMF Building Block programmes.
Best Performing Diploma Student: Elliot Taylor, Branch Manager, Silvertons. Elliot excelled in the BMF’s flagship 18-month management programme, achieving some of the highest marks ever recorded.
Best Performing Apprentice of the Year: Tiffany West, Sales Assistant, MKM Building Supplies. Throughout her apprenticeship Tiffany embodied enthusiasm, curiosity and determination, culminating in outstanding coursework and a well-deserved distinction.
An award was also presented to two members of the Build Up Foundation, a charity that runs practical construction projects where young people can design and build structures in their local communities. Lisa Hoang Ka and Bewaji Oyesanyg received the Leadership Award for Design and Construction in recognition of their work as part of Build Up’s Youth Advisory Board. Over the last two years, their unwavering commitment, dedication and wisdom has created a board that is generous, inclusive and inquisitive, bringing vision and the highest quality leadership to the organisation.
Meanwhile, the ‘Caring for the Environment’ award acknowledges companies or individuals represented in the Livery who have gone above and beyond in the areas of waste management, manufacturing processes, packaging or product development to ensure greater sustainability or resource efficiency. This year’s winner was Mannok for “its strong corporate strategy that demonstrates the company’s leading focus and commitment to the environment.” Judges described the scale of Mannok’s projects and its focus, relative to the size of the business, as “inspiring.”
Entries to the ‘Caring for the Environment’ award were particularly impressive this year, with Cemex UK also being highly commended for its ‘Future in Action’ sustainability programme, which demonstrates a clear understanding of the complexity of delivering a true environmental difference, as well as its ‘Water Action Plan’, which attracted top scores for resource efficiency.
The prizes were presented by Guest of Honour Alderman Tim Hailes FKC JP who, subject to election, will become the 698th Lord Mayor of London in November 2025. Tim used his speech to praise the gathered prize winners, along with the hard work of the builders’ merchant industry.
He said: “The Builders’ Merchants Company [represents] a trade that remains hugely relevant today. We are surrounded by people who dedicate huge swathes of their time to great causes, and to supporting our armed forces, to philanthropic activities, to education and apprenticeships. Today we celebrate triumphs in sustainability, promoting all that is good about the Livery movement, and supporting outstanding people.”
No Going Back is a charity and social enterprise that WCoBM has been supporting for several years. It aims to rehabilitate ex-offenders, helping them to secure employment, lowering re-offending rates and transforming lives. The recipient of the No Going Back Rising Star Award was Arno Smit, who demonstrated resilience and determination to get back on track after his release from prison, embracing every available opportunity for personal and professional growth.
All the winners received a trophy to commemorate their award, as well as a financial contribution from the Charitable fund.
Each year, the Master presents an award to someone within the Livery who has gone above and beyond to support the Company and its works. The 2025 Master’s Award was presented to Past Master Andy Williamson by current Master Steve Boyer. Steve said: “As a direct result of Andy’s work, the Company now has the highest number of Liverymen and Freemen ever, and he has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to the Company’s future growth and success.”
Organisations affiliated with WCoBM were also present to receive awards, namely individuals from HMS Forth; the 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3PWRR); the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; and the Beckenham and Penge Sea Cadets.
The City & Awards luncheon was kindly sponsored by Aco, Alumasc, Builders’ Merchants Federation, Fernco, H+H, Longwater Construction Supplies, Mannok, Marsh Industries, NMBS, Polypipe, Reisser, Thor Building Products, Turnbull and VIP Polymers, without whose support the event would not be possible.
For more information on the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, visit www.wcobm.co.uk
