PDA flies flag for excellence at 35th Premier Trophy Awards

25 July 2024

An ornate redecoration of the Royal Albert Hall’s 1871 Bar has been awarded the highest accolade at the Painting and Decorating Association’s 2024 Premier Trophy Awards.

Campbell Smith and Company Ltd were presented with the Supreme Winner title at the PDA’s 35th awards luncheon held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.

It’s a landmark year for the ceremony, which marks 35 years of flying the flag for excellence in the trade during the PDA’s 130th Anniversary year.

The project at the 1871 Bar was chosen as winner of the Highly Decorative category, and then named Supreme Winner at the awards, which attracted 88 entries judged by a panel from the Institute for Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI).

The judges commended the quality of the redecoration and level of service, as the site featured some complex challenges including a curved ceiling, and the schedule was especially tight due to its’ location within a high-profile venue.

Campbell Smith was founded in 1873 and became a member of the PDA in 2002. Now part of the Cousins Group, the company was also presented with a Premier Trophy Award in the Highly Decorative category in 2022.

Trophies were presented at a glittering ceremony held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London by PDA Chief Executive, Neil Ogilvie who was joined by Paul Coward, President of ICWCI and John Kourtoulos, UK & Ireland Sales Director at AkzoNobel, the main sponsor of the awards.

Mr Ogilvie said: “This is a landmark year both for the PDA and the Premier Trophy Awards so our very special congratulations go to all the team at Campbell Smith and Company Ltd.

“These awards fly the flag for excellence in our sector and reflect the hard work, skill and dedication to quality that is required to create a flawless finish.

“The winning projects demonstrate the highest standards our trade has to offer, so to be declared Supreme Winner 2024, really is a seal of approval.”

Alongside the Premier Trophy Awards ceremony, the PDA’s annual Apprentice of the Year competition winners were announced, with a Senior and a Junior entrant taking home the top prize after battling out through regional heats and a Grand Final. Runners-up were also presented with prizes, with further Chief Executive’s Recognition and Achievement awards presented to two young painters and decorators this year.

The PDA is Britain’s largest trade body dedicated to the sector and celebrates its 130th anniversary this year.

The Association represents painting and decorating businesses of all types from sole traders through to large scale national contractors employing hundreds of operatives.

With a proud history and a long-standing legacy of promoting high standards and best practice, the PDA requires its members to be insured and appropriately trained as well as committing to a Code of Conduct that includes providing quality work at a reasonable price.

For more information, or to apply to join the PDA, visit: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Premier Trophy Award Winners

SUPREME WINNER / HIGHLY DECORATIVE – Campbell Smith & Co Ltd

DECORATIVE – Mitie Property Services

SMALL CONTRACTOR – Sprayform Painting and Decorating Ltd

NEW BUILD – Whiterock Decorators Ltd

RESIDENTIAL – Opus Services (UK) Ltd

COMMERCIAL – Ambrose Ellis Painting Contractors Ltd

INDUSTRIAL – Jack Tighe Ltd

Apprentice of the Year 2024

Senior Winner – Jessica Brierley, Accrington & Rossendale College

Senior runner-up – Kirsten Jackson, Bell Apprentice Training Centre

Junior Winner – Willow Patey, Mid Kent College

Junior runner-up – Owen Sheldon, Leeds College of Building

Chief Executive’s Recognition and Achievement Award: Henry Hart, Doncaster College and Holly Duffy, Accrington and Rossendale College