The longest running awards ceremony offered the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the amazing people, teams, projects and innovations within the sector.

The Builders’ Merchants Awards once again proved a fitting finale to the calendar year as it recognised and celebrated excellence by merchants and the people who work for them.

The longest running awards ceremony in the builders’ merchant sector celebrated its 24th anniversary at the magnificent Park Plaza in Westminster.

This year’s lunch, held on Friday 28 November, was hosted by stand-up comedian and actor Ed Byrne.

For more than two decades, the Builders' Merchants Awards has offered the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the amazing people, teams, projects and innovations within the sector.

Twenty-five awards were announced to shine the spotlight on every part of the sector, whether it is for groundbreaking marketing initiatives or all-encompassing training courses, community schemes that prove a lifeline to local companies, or businesses that ensure diversity and inclusion is the future of the industry.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Chris Hayward, former CEO NMBS, who is retiring next spring.

A clearly emotional Hayward, who received a standing ovation, became CEO of NMBS in 2022, following more than 20 years as Managing Director and more than 47 years’ service in total at NMBS.

Thanks to the generosity of all attendees, more than £8,000 was raised for Band of Builders, the National Construction Charity that provides practical, financial and wellbeing support for members of the UK construction industry.

The 25th Builders' Merchants Awards will be at the Park Plaza on Friday 25 November 2026. Visit www.buildersmerchantsawards.co.uk for more details.