The winners of the 2025 British Coatings Federation Awards were announced on November 12 at Carden Park in Chester. More than 180 delegates gathered to celebrate outstanding achievements across the coatings industry. Individuals from multiple sectors were recognized for their contributions in three core categories. Lisa Figuera-Cartwright from AkzoNobel won the Apprentice of the Year Award, Connor Knowles from PPG Architectural Coatings UK&I earned the Young Leader of the Year Award, and Oliver Williams from Thermaset received the Student of the Year Award.

The BCF also introduced a new category for 2025, the Rising Star Award, created in memory of the late Callum Plummer. The award honors young employees at BCF member companies who demonstrate strong potential and a commitment to professional development. The inaugural Rising Star Award was presented to James Lund of Venator.

Recognizing investment in people, AkzoNobel and PPG Architectural Coatings UK&I jointly received the Diversity and Inclusion Award. Belzona was announced as the winner of the Excellence in Training Award. The Sustainable Innovation Award went to Alberdingk Boley for REN AC 8403, and the Race to Net Zero Award was presented to Crown Paints. Becker Industrial Coatings in Liverpool was named the Coatings Care Progress Award winner, and Teal and Mackrill in Hull earned the Coatings Care Overall Best Performer Award. Crown Paints received the 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

The Marketing Campaign of the Year Award was split into two categories, with PPG Architectural Coatings UK&I winning the Multinational category and Inktech winning the SME category. Customer Service was also divided into two groups. Crown Paints won the Multinational category, and H2 Compliance won the SME category.

“It is fantastic to see so much emerging talent in our sector, demonstrated in our Student, Apprentice and Young Leader of the Year categories,” said BCF President Sharon Harte, managing director of Dacrylate Paints. “It was a particular honor for Dacrylate Paints to sponsor and to celebrate the finalists and inaugural winner of the Rising Star Award, launched in Callum’s memory. Many congratulations to all those who were shortlisted but especially to the winners.”

The awards ceremony was hosted by magician Ben Hanlin, who provided entertainment throughout the evening. A charity raffle fundraiser was held to support Young Lives vs Cancer, raising more than £3,000 for the organization.

The BCF thanked its award sponsors, including Stort Group, BASF, Verlingue, Dacrylate Paints, Xyntra, Fenton Packaging, Tronox, Paleus Acrylics, and Lisam, for their support.

See more regarding industry awards.