Boss of County Down building company is named Tradesperson of the Year as his firm picks up TWO other top industry awards.
The director of a County Down construction company has been named Northern Ireland Tradesperson of the Year – at the same time as his firm has picked up two other top industry awards.
- Marlfield Joinery and Construction Ltd picks up the awards at the FMB’s 2021 Northern Ireland Master Builder Awards
- Company Director Paul Collins is named Tradesperson of the Year while the company also wins best Kitchen and Bathroom project prizes
- They will now be entered into the UK-wide Master Builder Awards
Marlfield Joinery and Construction Ltd, based in Newtownards, picked up the accolades at the Federation of Master Builders’ 2021 Northern Ireland Master Builder Awards, which were hosted online on June 11th.
The awards recognise excellence in Northern Ireland’s small and medium-sized construction companies and are run by the FMB, the largest trade association in the UK construction sector, which is this year celebrating its 80th anniversary.
Paul Collins, the director of Marlfield and a joiner by trade, beat off competition from across Northern Ireland to win the Tradesperson of the Year award after being nominated by a client who was impressed with his workmanship and attention to detail.
Paul’s client said he treated everyone – clients, colleagues, sub-contractors and others who came into contact with him – with courtesy and respect and felt that his fair but firm leadership style ensured he got the best results from his team.
He was described as “highly competent” with the client adding that she “cannot imagine a better advert for the building trade.”
Marlfield won the Kitchen Project award for creating a classic and timeless kitchen that enhanced the natural light coming into the cottage-style property in County Down.
Highlights of the project are an eye-catching hague blue coloured, curved island which creates a stunning focal point, while the design gives ample food preparation space and means the kitchen is a hub for family life.
The Bathroom Project award was given for a bathroom designed with a spa-at-home feel that included a jacuzzi bath and steam room shower.
The bespoke vanity unit features a quartz worktop and a functional laundry chute direct to the laundry room below.
Judges praised Marlfield for “excellent attention to detail and standard of finish.”
The company will now go on to compete for the UK-wide awards in all three categories.
Paul Collins, Director of Marlfield Joinery and Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be placed as the calibre of entrants was brilliant. The win is worth all the efforts of the FMB membership application process to be involved.”
Gavin McGuire, Northern Ireland Director of the FMB, said: “Northern Ireland’s Master Builder companies have delivered outstanding, quality projects in the toughest of years.
“Marlfield Joinery and Construction, under the award-winning leadership of Paul Collins, champion excellent customer service, and clearly take great pride in creating brilliant builds.
“Despite lingering challenges, like access to building materials, I know that FMB members in Northern Ireland will continue to build with confidence into 2022.”
Also winning at this year’s awards were GP McManus, also of Newtownards, who won the best Commercial or Public Sector Project title for the complex construction of a state-of-the-art wellbeing studio in Bangor.
The development features two Pilates studios, beauty treatment rooms and dropped ceilings so that a high-end lighting system could be installed to create the required ambience. GP McManus are first time Master Builder Award winners.
