A Derbyshire plant operator has been crowned JCB Operator of the Year 2026 after winning a competition that attracted hundreds of entrants from across the UK.
Tom Balls, of JC Balls & Sons, won a three-night trip for two to New York and $5,000 spending money, after defeating 20 other finalists from across the UK in the JCB Operator Challenge Final at Kevin Quarry in Staffordshire.
Having qualified through the TC Harrison JCB regional heat, Tom triumphed following a series of timed challenges designed to test speed, precision and machine control using a JCB 145XR tracked excavator, 3CX PRO backhoe loader and JCB 25Z-1 mini-excavator.
Lewis Cameron, of AJ Rennie in Banff, Scotland, finished runner-up after qualifying through Scot JCB, while Ollie Gunns, of Hampshire-based Gunns Contractors Ltd, took third place after progressing through the Greenshields JCB heat.
Tom said, “I’m still in shock. The standard of operator in the final was fantastic and I can’t believe I’ve won. I’m already excited about the trip to New York. I was surprised how fast I completed the challenges and felt really confident in the various JCB machines.”
As champion, Tom wins a three-night trip for two to New York, including flights, hotel accommodation and $5,000 spending money. Lewis receives two tickets to the England v New Zealand Autumn Internationals rugby fixture, while Ollie wins a two-night stay in Edinburgh with £500 spending money.
