The regional winners of the second Heating Installer Awards have been revealed, leading to celebrations up and down the country.
The ten finalists of the Heating Installer Awards 2017 were selected by a panel of experts from the industry earlier this month, and will now face an online, public vote to decide the national winner.
The regional winners are:
- North West – Nick Irlam, Nick Irlam Ltd
- North East – Dean Foster, Dean Foster Plumbing and Heating
- South West – Ben Bowers, Ben Bowers Heating Solutions Ltd
- South East – Barry Primett, Source Heat Pumps Ltd
- East Midlands – Peter Booth, G V Booth Plumbing and Heating
- West Midlands – Stuart Woodward, HomeServe Walsall and Sutton
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Lee Brown, Smart Renewable Heat Ltd
- East of England – Mark Partridge, Bright Green Renewables Ltd
- Wales – Garry Lloyd, Blue Flame Gas Solutions Ltd
- Scotland & Northern Ireland – Scott Murray, McInnes Group Ltd
Votes can now be cast to decide the national winner – the UK’s Best Heating Installer 2017 – at www.heatinginstallerawards.co.uk/finalists.
Representatives from Continental Underfloor, Danfoss, Graham The Plumbers’ Merchant, LG, Pegler Yorkshire , Sentinel, Vaillant UK and Installer Magazine – the awards’ sponsors – attended the judging day, whittling down hundreds of entries down to just a top ten. The panel were also joined by Dennis Hollingworth, winner of the inaugural Heating Installer Awards in 2016.
The judges considered each entry against four criteria: technicality, professionalism, expert service and happy customers. The winners selected each demonstrated a desire to go to great lengths in order to deliver incredible levels of service for their customers, using innovative solutions that improve the quality of life of families and businesses across the UK.
Working together with the award sponsors, trade bodies and other renowned organisations in the industry, the aim of the awards is to raise standards even higher, unveiling the superstars who often go unnoticed.
With an outstanding calibre of entries received, the judges were compelled to also offer runner up positions in each of the ten regions. Those scooping the worthy second place positions are:
- North West – Andrew Beatty, Greenfields Heat and Power Ltd
- North East – Scott Findlay, Scott Findlay Plumbing & Heating
- South West – Jamie Streeter, SolarGeo LTD
- South East – Sam Heathcote, Essential Heating
- East Midlands – Aaron O’Dell, O’Dell Heating & Plumbing Ltd
- West Midlands – Ian Smith, IJS Trade Services
- Yorkshire and the Humber – Neale Jackson, Swift Gas
- East of England – Richard Goodyear, Chelmsford Gas Services LTD
- Wales – Ashley Carlisle, Warmserve Plumbing & Heating Limited
- Scotland & Northern Ireland – Stuart Sugden, Sugplumb Ltd
Judge Neil Davies, representing Sentinel, said: “This is the first year Sentinel has joined the Heating Installer Awards team, and we’re thrilled to see so many high quality entries be submitted for consideration. It was a joy to be a part of the judging day, and be intrinsic to selecting the ten regional winners.
“These particular installers are the type that homeowners turn to in an emergency; to improve the comfort in their home and change their lifestyle by having energy efficient heating solutions – those they know are 100% reliable. They’re an inspiration to young people looking to forge a career in the industry, and a shining example of the outstanding quality delivered by UK heating installers each day.
“Everyone at Sentinel is excited to see the outcome – don’t miss out on your chance to vote!”
Samantha Canfield, judging on behalf of Graham the Plumbers’ Merchant, said: “We already know the industry is filled with tradespeople who build heating solutions of outstanding technical quality and provide exceptional customer service as a given.
“However, being a member of the Heating Installer Awards judging panel was an excellent opportunity to see just how seriously the UK’s plumbers and heating installers take their jobs. The winning regional entries were outstanding; each installer is not only a credit to their region, but the UK as a whole. We’re looking forward to seeing who will take the title of the UK’s Best Heating Installer 2017 – I think it will be a very close final!”
Judge Steve Keeton, representing Vaillant, said: “This is the second year Vaillant has sponsored the Heating Installer Awards, and the quality of entries just seems to get better and better! The judging day – though tough – was a brilliant reminder of just how special the UK heating industry is.
“The 10 regional winners act as gatekeepers to the industry – they set the high standards all other installers should aim to achieve. Their entries were prime examples of the outstanding customer service delivered that makes us proud to be a part of the heating industry.
“I wish each of the regional winners every success in the national heat – it’s a tough competition. May the best person win!”
Judge Bjorn Sejr Nielsen, representing Danfoss, said: “I was unsure of what to expect from the judging day; this is our first year involved with the awards, and I was hopeful the standard of entries would be truly representative of the high standards of work we know are undertaken each day in the industry. The entries did not disappoint!
“The Heating Installer Awards acknowledges the unsung heroes of the industry – the one man bands and small businesses who depend on word of mouth and positive reviews to succeed. I wish the best of luck to all 10 regional winners – I can’t wait to see the outcome in May.”
All regional winners will now be put forward to compete for the title of the UK’s Best Heating Installer, which will be announced at Installer2017 in May following the online public vote.
Those wishing to vote should visit www.heatinginstallerawards.co.uk/finalists.
The deadline for votes is 9pm on 30th April 2017.