Exceptional projects showcasing the highest standards of work have been recognised at the 36th annual Premier Trophy Awards hosted by the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA)
Held at Plaisterers’ Hall, London, the event included the results of the PDA’s Apprentice of the Year competition, a three-course luncheon and keynote speech from Megan Esmond, Marketing Director UK & Ireland PPG Architectural Coatings, alongside the Premier Trophy Awards ceremony.
Award entries are judged by a panel of experts from the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI), who examined 103 entries, visited 53 sites and scored entrants in the Decorative, Highly Decorative, Residential, Commercial Small Contractor, New Build and Industrial sections.
J&N Finishes, based in London and Essex, won the ‘Highly Decorative’ category and was named ‘Supreme Winner’ for its work as part of a ‘restoration for the ages’ at Skinners’ Hall, Dowgate Hill, which included exterior and interior work across a range of skills from gilding and gold leaf to distemper and limewash.
The judges gave the Skinners’ Hall project top marks across all areas from contract management and technical skills to the quality of finishes achieved, stating: “The project demonstrated a complete range of painting and decorating skills, the finish was first class. The judges were impressed with the excellence of the specialist work.”
Launched by Joe Ayres and Neil Whitmore, J&N Finishes is the culmination of a partnership that began when the two studied painting and decorating together at Hackney College. They went on to work for the same larger contractor before joining forces and setting up their own business in 2018.
Neil said: “We’re absolutely over the moon. We knew the project was amazing, but we didn’t expect to win the top award out of all the projects that have entered from across the UK.” Joe added: “As a business, it feels fantastic to think that we can achieve those high-level standards across the board.”
D & D Painters and Decorators of Hull won the Decorative category for the refurbishment of Grade II listed Hotham Hall in York, while a restoration and revamp following water damage at Grade II listed Elcombe Hall in Wroughton secured a win in the Small Contractor category for Hugh Irwin Specialist Decorators Ltd of Swindon.
Trident Maintenance Services enjoyed a double win, taking the top spots in both the Residential category for work at a care home in Greater London and the Industrial section for a project at St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, which is only accessible via a causeway.
The revamp of 10 hotel rooms at Grade II listed Hedsor House in Maidenhead was a winner in the Commercial category for A C Beck & Son (Contracts Ltd), while a barn conversion in Lower Penn in the West Midlands secured the win for Parkes Decorators in the New Build section.
Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive of the PDA said: “As the largest trade body representing painters and decorators across the UK, the PDA stands for the highest standards of work, customer service and compliance. J&N Finishes’ work at Skinners’ Hall is outstanding and we congratulate them on achieving the Supreme Winner title this year. Our congratulations also to the category winners and those who received commendations as part of the Premier Trophy Awards. Their work sets a benchmark for quality and is a stellar example of best practice in the sector.”
The Premier Trophy Awards is held annually by the PDA to fly the flag for excellence in the sector. The main award sponsor for 2025 was Johnstone’s Trade.
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