The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is thrilled to announce the winners of the UKATA Excellence Awards 2023. The awards were presented by former Olympic Athlete Kriss Akabusi during a glitzy ceremony held at The Radisson Blu, East Midlands Airport Hotel on Friday, July 7, 2023. This special occasion also marked the 15-year anniversary of UKATA.
The awards ceremony brought together over 100 attendees who celebrated success and joined forces to raise essential funds for the Mavis Nye Foundation. The foundation is a charitable organisation dedicated to providing financial support to those facing hardship and advancing laboratory and clinical research in the UK for the treatment of mesothelioma.
In addition to recognising the achievements of individuals and organisations working tirelessly in the industry to protect workers and the public from the risks associated with asbestos exposure, the ceremony featured three special recognition awards. These awards honoured key advocates who have gone above and beyond in raising asbestos awareness in collaboration with UKATA.
Here are the winners of the UKATA Excellence Awards 2023:
Contribution to the Community Award:
- Winner: Training & Safety Consultants Ltd
- Highly Commended: Elken Associates Ltd
Customer Service Excellence Award:
- Winner: Tersus Consultancy Ltd
Excellence in Innovation Over £1m Award:
- Winner: Start Software
Excellence in Innovation Under £1m Award:
- Winner: Wayne Bagnall Ltd
Workforce Development Award:
- Winner: Caerphilly County Borough Council
- Highly Commended: Gelder Ltd
Rising Star Award:
- Winner: Kristina Greenland, Asbestos Training Ltd
Industry Associate of the Year Award:
- Winner: RoundWorks IT Ltd
- Highly Commended: DSK Environmental Ltd
The ceremony also featured three special recognition awards:
Chairman's Award:
- Recipient: Ab Woolass, MNFCC
Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Recipient: Mavis & Ray Nye, The Mavis Nye Foundation
Outstanding Contribution Award:
- Recipient: Graham O'Mahony, UKATA Chair/Director
Alongside the awards, a charity auction took place, raising over £1000. Generous guests enthusiastically participated in spirited bidding, competing for a wide range of items. These items included signed sports and film memorabilia, as well as various collectibles. The auction also featured special items of a signed painting by Ray Nye and an 'ETERNIT: GIUSTIZIA!' flag, generously provided by Dr. Yvonne Waterman.
The funds raised during the auction were combined within the £8,000 donation presented by Ab Woolass on behalf of the MNFCC (Mavis Nye Foundation Cycle Club) in recognition of their significant role in generating funds for the Mavis Nye foundation throughout the past year.
Craig Evans, Chief Operating Officer of UKATA, expressed his overwhelming joy at the success of the evening and acknowledged the exceptional standard of entries received for the Excellence Awards, congratulating the winners. He also commended the UKATA team for their instrumental role in organising the event, from table décor to securing the presence of celebrity guest Kriss Akabusi, who entertained the audience throughout the evening. Expressing pride in leading the association and its dedicated workforce, who worked tirelessly to make the event a resounding success, he concluded with a celebratory note, expressing positivity in looking forward to the future success of UKATA and its members and associates.
The UKATA Excellence Awards 2023 was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Asbestos Analysts Ltd, Asbestos Management Consultancy, DSK Environmental Ltd, RoundWorks IT, Specialist Training Assessment Centre Ltd, and Tersus Consultancy Ltd.
UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.
Published on Monday 10th July 2023