Winners lift their LEEA Awards and raise the industry

The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) celebrated the sector’s brightest achievements at its 7th annual LEEA Awards, held on 18 November at Liverpool FC’s legendary Anfield Stadium.

With a record attendance of 450 guests, almost double the inaugural ceremony, LEEA Chair Oliver Auston praised the industry’s impressive progress since the association’s origins in 1944. “This is an association with the momentum, the direction and certainly the appetite to progress and innovate,” he said.

Ten prestigious trophies were presented on the night, recognising excellence across innovation, safety, sustainability, leadership, and professional development.

2025 LEEA Awards Winners:

• Emerging Talent Award: Rory Stewart, Europa Engineering Group
• Excellence in People Development: SCE Academy – Street Cranexpress Ltd
• Technical Excellence & Professionalism: Justin Powers, Select Plant Hire
• Trainer of the Year – The Craig Morelli Award: Jim Beauchamp, Boilermaker National Training Trust Fund / International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
• Excellence in Leadership: Steve Hutin, Rope & Sling Specialists
• Sustainability Excellence Award: pewag UK Group
• Excellence in Service Innovation: Lifting by Design, MGF
• Excellence in Product Innovation (joint winners): RUD CCS FASTLOX & BlueSupra, YOKE Industrial Corp
• Excellence in Safety: Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba)
• Excellence in Lifting Operations: Gareth McNary, Select Plant Hire

Competition this year was tougher than ever, said LEEA CEO and co-host Dr Ross Moloney, who thanked the panel of 27 judges and paid tribute to all shortlisted entrants.

Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood joined as special guest, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from England’s historic 2003 triumph while meeting and inspiring guests throughout the evening. Donations were also raised for mental health charity Mind via QR codes displayed during the ceremony.

The awards concluded with a special Outstanding Contribution Award presented to five individuals—Len Latham, Richard Money, Kevin Smith, Tony Stringer and Chris Towne—for their long-term dedication to LEEA and the global lifting community.