The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has celebrated the handover of a £42,000 Isuzu D-Max DL40 truck to R & M Williams Limited, the Neath-based firm crowned Overall Master Builder of the Year 2025 in September.

Often dubbed the “Oscars of the building industry,” the FMB’s National Master Builder Awards were held at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on 26 September, marking the culmination of a year of hotly contested regional finals that showcased the UK’s very best small and medium-sized builders, at a time when there is increasing pressure on the sector to reach ambitious Government targets.

R&M Williams earned the top national FMB accolade for its £10m restoration of Swansea’s historic Palace Theatre, a derelict Grade II-listed building brought back to life as a modern workspace and cultural hub. The handover was led by Isuzu – the headline sponsor of the 2025 awards – with R&M Williams receiving the Isuzu D-Max DL40, finished in Obsidian Grey and fitted with site-ready accessories – including an over-rail liner, towbar, and bespoke ‘Master Builder of the Year’ decals.

The winning project, delivered as part of Swansea’s £1bn city centre regeneration programme, was praised by judges as “a spectacular achievement that turned two decades of decay into something truly beautiful” – combining heritage conservation, modern engineering, and community benefit.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

“We’re delighted to have Isuzu UK as our headline sponsor for a fourth consecutive year. Our continued partnership helps us celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of small builders across the country. The Isuzu D-Max is the perfect prize for a Master Builder. Robust, dependable, and built to handle any challenge, just like our award winners.”

George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, added:

“The Master Builder Awards recognise the very best in the business, builders who don’t just lay foundations but build communities. We’re thrilled to hand over a brand-new Isuzu D-Max to R & M Williams for their outstanding work on Swansea’s Palace Theatre. Like the D-Max, this project proves that with the right tools and determination, you can truly raise the roof!”

2025 marks the fourth consecutive year that Isuzu UK has served as headline sponsor of the FMB Master Builder Awards, highlighting the shared values of craftsmanship, reliability, and commitment to excellence that unite both organisations.

The awards remain the UK’s leading celebration of SME builders who deliver exceptional quality, innovation, and social value in every project.

For more on the FMB visit www.fmb.org.uk.

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NHBC announces Brickwork and Construction Site Supervisor Apprentices of the Year

House-building apprentices have been recognised at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) annual graduation ceremony held at its headquarters in Milton Keynes. Ryley McBride, 17 from Whitkirk, Leeds was awarded NHBC Brickwork Apprentice of the Year and is now building a successful career in construction with Keepmoat. Matthew Griffiths, 36 from Poole, Dorset, who works for Bellway Homes, was awarded NHBC Construction Site Supervisor Apprentice of the Year. Read more.

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Chris Williams, site manager for Owl Homes’ Mortimer Manor development in Bewdley, Worcestershire won two awards in the West Region NHBC Pride in the Job ceremony in September.

As a Regional Award winner, Chris is eligible for the next stage of the competition, the national Supreme Awards, which will be held on 24 January 2025.

Aiming to raise standards in housebuilding, Pride in the Job judging focuses on build quality, teamwork and process, and is assessed by NHBC inspectors, regional directors and independent professionals.

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Award-winning site manager Albert Hassall, who is overseeing construction at a Bovis Homes development in Macclesfield, has gained a prestigious award from the National House Building Council (NHBC) for the sixth year in a row.

Albert, 59, has been working at Bollin Grange, which is part of the Vistry Group, for just over a year – and when news of his Pride in the Job Quality Award win came through, the whole site was energised.

“The team were absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “I told them and thanked them and that day everybody was so happy, everybody was chests out and heads held high. I’ve got a lot of young lads here and they’re all very respectful and very proud of what we do. They are amazing.

“My assistant Scott Reaney is one of the best assistants I’ve had and everybody on site, every single person, if I ask them to do something they don’t hesitate. I’m blessed.”

The NHBC includes every site registered with them for consideration for the Quality Award – more than 8,000 building sites – and only 449 have been awarded a Quality Award this year. All those winners including Albert will go on to be considered for the next stage of the competition, which is the Seal of Excellence, later this year.

Albert, who lives in Shavington, near Crewe, has won five Quality Awards and five Seal of Excellence awards over the past five years for his work on two Bovis Homes developments – Bollin Grange and previously Hazelmere near Crewe. He had previously won two Quality Awards earlier in his career with other homebuilders.

The Pride in the Job awards have been running for 44 years and that is exactly how long Albert has been working in the construction industry, having begun as a bricklayer, just like his father.

He thinks the NHBC awards and the organisation’s role in the homebuilding industry have caused quality standards to rise significantly over the years. He said: “The quality has improved immensely. Now I think that houses we built in 2000 were good, but compared to now, we do such a superb house where everything is top notch. Without the NHBC I don’t think the industry would have progressed as much.”

Bovis Homes is part of Vistry Group, which also includes the Linden Homes and Countryside Homes brands.

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