Chief Executive of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA), Neil Ogilvie, has toured Skinners’ Hall, London, the winning project at this year’s PDA Premier Trophy Awards.
The interior and exterior paintwork and decoration at the landmark building was undertaken by J&N Finishes, based in London and Essex, and won the Highly Decorative category before being announced Supreme Winner.
Joe Ayres and Neil Whitmore of J&N Finishes (www.jandnfinishes.co.uk) received the accolades at the PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards, a glittering ceremony held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.
Part of a ‘restoration for the ages’ at Skinners’ Hall in Dowgate Hill, the project required a range of skills from gilding and gold leaf to distemper and limewash.
PDA Chief Executive Neil Ogilvie was given a tour of the winning project by Neil Whitemore, co-director of J & N Finishes.
Neil Ogilvie said:
“To visit the venue and inspect the work up close made me appreciate the dedicated skill and quality craftsmanship which had been bestowed on this 700-year-old, Grade I listed building.
“Huge congratulations to everyone involved in the team on this incredible project. You have lovingly restored this magnificent building back to its former glory!”
Award entries were judged by a panel of experts from the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI), who examined 103 entries, visited 53 sites and scored entrants across seven categories before selecting an overall winner.
The Premier Trophy Awards is held annually by the PDA to fly the flag for excellence in the sector. The main sponsor for 2025 was Johnstone’s Trade.
Neil Whitmore said:
“We’re absolutely over the moon. This is the first award we’ve ever won and to be Supreme Winner at the PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards is just absolutely brilliant. All our hard work has paid off.
“We knew the project was amazing, but we didn’t expect to win the top award out of all the projects that have entered from across the UK.”
To find a PDA member near you, visit: www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk/find-a-member
Images and video courtesy of Dharmesh Patel