THE winners of the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of the Future Awards 2026 have been announced following a record number of entries.
The awards are designed to showcase the talent developing across the construction plant sector, recognising the industry’s future leaders in occupations including plant mechanics, technicians, hire controllers, operatives, installers, technical support staff, and apprentice mentors.
Held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry, this year’s apprentice and trainee awards attracted 109 nominations – the highest number since the CPA first introduced the event in 2013.
A total of 25 national, regional and special award categories were covered. Over 350 guests attended the ceremony, hosted by journalist, influencer and vlogger Peter Haddock.
The Plant Mechanic of the Year – Scotland category was won by Logan Reid from Liebherr-GB.
The Plant Technician of the Year – Scotland award went to Brodie Davies from Selwood, with SMT GB’s Fraser Grigor highly commended.
CPA CEO Steve Mulholland said, “The continued growth of the Stars of the Future Awards demonstrates the incredible commitment our industry is making to developing the next generation of skilled professionals. Receiving a record 109 nominations and seeing such an exceptionally high standard of entries made this our most competitive year ever.
“Every nominee should be immensely proud of their achievements, and congratulations go to all of this year’s winners. It is particularly rewarding to see so many previous Stars of the Future winners progressing into senior roles across the industry, proving the lasting impact these awards can have on careers.
“We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors, whose support enables us to recognise and reward excellence across the sector. This year’s winners received an outstanding range of prizes, including professional toolboxes, iPads, certified training courses and two overseas study trips to Germany. Finally, sincere thanks go to our 13 judges, who collectively dedicated more than 1,600 hours to the judging process, reflecting the care and diligence required in what was undoubtedly our toughest competition to date.”
Stars of the Future had a two-tier judging process – the CPA selection panel and a panel of external judges who decided the eventual winners. The external judging panel included Arran Willis of Liebherr-GB, Siôn Morgan Jones of ACOP Group, Kirsty Archbold-Laming of Southern Hoist Services, Leigh Sparrow of Vertikal Press, Graham Black of Earthmovers Magazine, Tim Brownbridge of BAM Nuttall, Georgina Williams of JCB, Dean Watkin of G F Tomlinson, and Trevor Simpson of Unite the Union.
The complete list of Stars of the Future 2026 category winners and those who received highly commended accolades is as follows:
Plant Mechanic of the Year – North
James Bury, Ainscough Crane Hire, Myerscough College – Winner
Plant Mechanic of the Year – Midlands
Jack Robinson, Amey, Wiltshire College & University Centre – Winner
Hannah Ward, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Highly Commended
Jake Humphreys, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Highly Commended
Plant Mechanic of the Year – South
Harrison Kipping-Bier, J P Dunn Construction, National Construction College East – Winner
Andre Samuel, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended
Yoosuf Ajij, Readypower Rail, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended
Plant Mechanic of the Year – Scotland
Logan Reid, Liebherr-GB, NSCG Stafford College – Winner
Plant Mechanic of the Year – Wales
Courtney Lewis, Alun Griffiths, Bridgend College – Winner
Morgan Phelps, M&G Plant and Tool, Bridgend College – Highly Commended
Roxy Burrows, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Highly Commended
National Plant Mechanic of the Year
Harrison Kipping-Bier, J P Dunn Construction, National Construction College East – Winner
Courtney Lewis, Alun Griffiths, Bridgend College – Highly Commended
Plant Technician of the Year – North
Adam Hardingham, Allan J Hargreaves Plant Engineers, Preston College – Winner
Jarrad Thomas, Selwood, Askham Bryan College – Highly Commended
Tom Metcalfe, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Highly Commended
Plant Technician of the Year – Midlands
Harun Anderson Mohammed, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Winner
Frankie Thompson, Sunbelt Rentals, Myerscough College – Highly Commended
James Cuthbert, SMT GB, Wiltshire College & University Centre – Highly Commended
Plant Technician of the Year – South
Alfie Martin, MTM Plant & Sales, National Construction College East – Winner
Griff Eden-Parish, GGR Group, The Engineering Trust – Highly Commended
Oliver Noble, Quattro Plant, NSCG Stafford College – Highly Commended
Plant Technician of the Year – Scotland
Brodie Davies, Selwood, Askham Bryan College – Winner
Fraser Grigor, SMT GB, Wiltshire College & University Centre – Highly Commended
Plant Technician of the Year – Wales
Blake Carey, Speedy Hire, Bridgend College – Winner
National Plant Technician of the Year
Harun Anderson Mohammed, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Winner
Hire Controller of the Year
Matthew Oliver, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner
Young Plant Operative of the Year
Eve Bright, Flannery Plant Hire – Winner
Plant Operative of the Year
Kovid Sawon, Flannery Plant Hire – Winner
Crane Operative of the Year
Paul Reeves, Ainscough Crane Hire – Winner
Plant Installer of the Year
Samuel Lindley, Churchill Living PLC – Winner
Rhys Bush, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner
Technical Support Person of the Year
Callum Shepherdson, Flannery Plant Hire – Winner
Madison Roscoe, Lowton Infrastructure Group – Highly Commended
Individual Apprentice Mentor of the Year
Jake Davies, Wolffkran – Winner
Group Apprentice Mentor of the Year
Valon Krivenjeva, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Winner
College of the Year
Bridgend College – Winner
Best Personal Statement Award
Mason Pooley, Sunbelt Rentals, Myerscough College – Winner
Young Business of the Year Award
Rory Hopkins-Bond, 007 Diggers Ltd – Winner
Employer Specific Support Award
Selwood – Winner
Judges’ Outstanding Determination Award
Behar Kamberi, Ardent Hire Solutions, National Construction College East – Winner
Judges’ Special Award
Hannah Ward, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy – Winner
