An apprentice from Essex has been recognised as the brightest young talent in the heating industry after being crowned Rising Star of the Year at this year’s national Heating Installer Awards.
Daisy Turner, from Thundersley, was named the national Rising Star winner after impressing judges with her technical ability, professionalism and commitment to supporting the future of the industry. The prestigious award celebrates the UK’s most promising apprentice heating installers, with Daisy emerging victorious after a rigorous judging process, technical challenge and public vote.
Working for Toucan Heating and Plumbing Ltd, Daisy caught the judges’ attention with an entry that showcased not only her technical expertise, but also the positive impact she is making both on-site and within the wider industry.
Her award-winning submission detailed her involvement in a complex home renovation project, where she independently carried out heating and plumbing modifications to support a family adapting their home for critical medical needs. Alongside her day-to-day work, Daisy has taken on a mentorship role within her college and has worked with manufacturers to help improve training facilities for future apprentices, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the next generation of installers.
Judges praised Daisy’s technical skills, maturity and dedication to the profession, highlighting her ability to deliver high-quality work while making a meaningful difference to customers and fellow apprentices alike.
Speaking about her win, Daisy said: “I’m very proud of all I’ve accomplished so far and believe that winning this award will allow me to be a real ambassador for excellence within the industry. I had to beat some really great apprentices to win this award, so I’d like to also congratulate them as I know we’ll all be leading the way in this industry in the near future.”
Laura Mashiter, founder of the Heating Installer Awards, said: “Daisy is an outstanding example of the talent coming through the industry. Her entry demonstrated impressive technical ability, but what really stood out was her willingness to go above and beyond, both for customers and for other apprentices. To be named this year’s Rising Star is a fantastic achievement and reflects the bright future she has ahead of her.”
The Heating Installer Awards was created to shine a spotlight on the exceptional skill, dedication and professionalism of heating installers across the UK. Now in its 12th year, the awards have become one of the industry’s most respected accolades, recognising installers who consistently deliver outstanding workmanship and customer service.
Daisy received her award at InstallerSHOW 2026 at the NEC Birmingham in June, where leading manufacturers, installers and industry professionals gathered to celebrate innovation and excellence across the building services sector. Alongside the prestigious trophy, she also received prizes from the awards’ sponsors including Danfoss, Powered Now, Samsung Climate Solutions, Stelrad, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, InstallerSHOW and Refresh.
If you would like to enter the awards for 2027, pre-registration is now open – just visit Heating Installer Awards or The Plumber Awards to add your details in.