Shortlist Gallery

Outstanding achievement

Phil Atkinson
Managing Director, BTS Facades & Fabrications

Phil Atkinson is a visionary leader in the Façade industry and has been the Managing Director of family-run BTS Facades and Fabrications for 14 strong years. Under Phil's leadership BTS has gone from strength to strength and successfully weathered Covid through investment in both employees and automation based out of its flagship offices and factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Phil started in the façade industry aged 17 working on a press-break doing 12-hour days. It’s from these early days working overtime on the shop floor that he's learnt everything there is to know about Aluminium and Steel. Following on from this, Phil has become an expert in Rainscreen facades during his time as a business leader.

Whilst some at 54 would have one eye on retirement Phil embarked BTS and himself on a steep learning curve with regards to sustainability and ESG.

Phil has been the driving force behind BTS's recent innovative steps these at the core of its business model.

This has been achieved through introduction of sustainable technologies such as a biomass boiler, EV Chargers with PV to come. Also being an early adopter of a 4 day working week. This culminated in BTS achieving Carbon-Neutral status in 2022 with 3rd party verification with a carbon reduction plan in place to put them on the path to Net Zero.

Due to the current economic climate Phil has put employee retention and attraction and most importantly employee welfare as top priorities for BTS, this is illustrated in BTS's vision to become a B-Corp Organisation.

Through his passion for learning and work, Phil has really put his all into making BTS a market leader in sustainability and ESG and hopes to continue as a driving force in the future.

Tom Walker
Sales Director, Architectural Panel Solutions

Throughout his career, to date, Tom has worked relentlessly to advance the APS brand family and raise the profile of the company within the façade industry. Graduating with BSc Hons in Architectural Technology (Brighton University), Tom has used his specialism to inject new ways of thinking.

Not only has he had a pioneering impact on driving sales forward and a key role as part of the senior team, in propelling the company to new heights, he has also had a very positive impact in raising the importance of key topics within the façade industry. His latest initiatives include the development of a webinar orientated around sustainability and the important role the industry has to play in reducing emissions, he has also steered new informative, technical collateral which serve to inform and advise as well as ultimately augment sales.

In addition to developing the business profile within the industry, Tom has been instrumental in implementing new strategies which foster well-being and celebrate success throughout the company, with a recently implemented employee awards initiative.

Tom has an unswerving focus when it comes to achieving objectives and works tirelessly. Yet admirably, he achieves company aims whilst championing the efforts of his team. He is very selfless in that respect and this has earned him the status of 'confidante' as well as Sales Director.

Directors Pete Brough and Vince Lunn have earmarked Tom for this award as they feel that the difference Tom has made within a relatively short period should be celebrated. Often these awards go to people who have been in the industry a long time and as a company APS wanted to also pay credit to younger and influential team members who have made a great impact already.

Scott Williams
Contracts Manager, Roofcare

Scott Williams has given the highest level of dedication to the industry for over 30 years. A small family run business, is now nationwide, and has taken all the original team along through the journey. Offering services to not only the public sector, but the private sector also. Highest standard of work, and communication given at all times.