THE Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has hailed the success of its first ever Gala Dinner hosted at St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
Attended by almost 300 guests from across the plant hire and wider construction industry, the evening featured talks from ex-football star John Barnes and comedy legend Bobby Davro. Peter Haddock was Master of Ceremonies, while Beatbox band DUKE provided an original fusion of live vocals with a combination of beat-boxing and harmonies.
In a surprise for guests, CPA CEO Steve Mulholland announced four recipients of special recognition awards for a lifetime of achievement in construction plant.
He said, “We really are trying at CPA to pull the industry together. That’s what nights like this and the numerous events we have planned – both professional, social and a mix of the two – are all about. Ultimately at CPA we are here to provide a united voice supporting the sector, to do our bit to ensure that the voice of CPA and our members is heard for the good of the industry.”
The special recognition awards were presented to Trevor Jepson of City Lifting, Josh Llewellyn of Gaia Group, Peter Brown of the CPA, and Trevor Gamble from the Gamble Group.
In making the first award to Trevor Jepson, Steve praised him for his ‘quiet passion and phenomenal knowledge of every facet of his business – not least of all his ability to keep up with the most modern technologies available in the crane sector’.
The next recipient was Josh Llewellyn. Steve said, “In my lifetime, Josh has been one of the original thinkers, continuing to be so. Starting up businesses with new ideas, equipment and services – with no sign of slowing down.”
The final two awards went to the CPA’s Peter Brown and Trevor Gamble, in recognition of the role they played in establishing the first industry accredited Plant Training Scheme CTA in the 1990s, which later became known as the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS). Steve said, “Peter and Trevor ensured practical change for the betterment of Plant Operatives from within, rather than being mandated to by others. The amount of time and knowledge given selflessly by Peter, Trevor and others made it the benchmark for others to follow.”
