Judging
Nominations for the Master Builder Awards are assessed by independent judging panels at both a local and national level. These panels are made up of industry experts who have a deep understanding of what it takes to build a high-quality project.
Meet the national and regional judges for the 2023 awards below. Our latest Master Builder Awards ceremony took place in September 2023. The next awards will be held in 2025, with nominations expected to open in autumn 2024. To find out more email [email protected].
Meet the 2023 national judges
Andrea Dean
Andrea Dean
Andrea Dean has over 20 years’ experience as a freelance journalist, specialising in property, home improvements and interiors. One of the best bits about her job is that she gets to visit fabulous homes across the country, and never fails to be amazed by the creativity, vision and skill of all those involved in designing, building and upgrading them.
Andrea currently writes for Metro’s weekly property supplement and her work has appeared in many other newspapers and magazines, including Daily Mail, Your Home and Grand Designs. She also contributes to online publications and blogs, and has worked on marketing projects for corporate clients in the property, construction and financial sectors.
Andrew Lewer MP
Andrew Lewer MP
Andrew Lewer MBE is the Member of Parliament for Northampton South. He was first elected in June 2017 and at the last election in 2019 he took more than 50% of the vote. He is the only person in Britain to have served as an MP, an MEP and a Council Leader.
He is a member of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee and the Education Select Committee, Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Motor Neurone Disease, Publishing, Private Rented Sector, SME Housebuilders, Independent Education, Venezuela and Devolution; Vice-Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Groups for Theatre, Building Communities, Writers and Industrial Heritage.
Representing the East Midlands, Andrew was elected to the European Parliament in the 2014 elections. He was the European Conservative and Reformists (ECR) Group Co-ordinator for both the Culture and Education and the Regional Development Committees.
Andrew is a Vice-President of the Local Government Association and an honorary Alderman of the County of Derbyshire. He received his MBE in 2014 for his services as Leader of Derbyshire County Council from 2009 to 2013 and as Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Association from 2011 to 2014.
Anna Thompson
Anna Thompson
Anna Thompson FRICS BuildE FCABE is a chartered Building Control surveyor and chartered building engineer with over 35 years’ experience in local authority building control. Previously Building Control Manager at East Devon District Council and Director of Training at Local Authority Building Control (LABC), Anna is now Head of Engagement. She works with local authority building control teams, partners and clients to improve understanding, competency, collaboration and standards.
Anna is a passionate advocate for exemplary building control, having previously been an LGA National Policy Advisor, part of the Core Cities Group for public safety and the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services' (LACORS) Cowboy Builders Working Party and a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Building Control Professional Group.
She is a Non-Executive Director of the National Home Improvement Council, a member of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) RMI Workstream Digital Taskforce, RMI Communications Taskforce and part of the Constructing Excellence Leadership Council. She is also a Women in Construction ambassador.
Bill Esterson MP
Bill Esterson MP
Bill Esterson is the Labour MP for Sefton Central, and has been an MP continuously since 6 May 2010. He currently undertakes the role of Shadow Minister (Business and Industrial Strategy).
Chloe McCulloch
Chloe McCulloch
Chloe is a senior editor and journalist with over 15 years' experience working on print and digital publications. Currently editor at Building magazine and building.co.uk leading on news and features about and for the construction industry as well as content for conferences and events.
Clive Betts MP
Clive Betts MP
Clive Betts began his political career in 1973 and in 1976 was elected as a member of Sheffield City Council. He became Leader of the Council in 1987, having served on the Housing and Finance committees for several years. He remained on the Council until his election as Labour Member of Parliament for Sheffield Attercliffe from 1992 until 2010. From 2010 he was the Labour MP for the renamed Sheffield South East constituency and was re-elected in May 2015 and June 2017.
Clive was appointed a Government Whip in 1997 and held the post until 2001. In June 2010 he was elected as Chair of the Department for Communities and Local Government Select Committee and has been re-elected following each General Election.
Clive has been a key member on several Select Committees (Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Department for Communities and Local Government.) His political interests include economic policy, local and regional government and housing. He was chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Arms Length Management Organisations, the All Party Football Group and was also chair of the Netherlands Group in Parliament and Joint Chair of the Somali and Somaliland APPG.
Colin Marrs
Colin Marrs
Experienced editor and writer specialising in government finance and the built environment.
George Wallis
George Wallis
George heads up the marketing department within Isuzu UK. His role covers managing the Isuzu team across marketing planning, strategy, creative, media, digital, events, PR, sponsorship and of course, partnerships. George is a highly experienced marketing professional with a proven track record of success in the automotive, IT, Financial and property sectors.
Having launched around 30 new vehicles in the UK for a range of manufacturers as well as working with several housebuilders on a wide range of marketing projects, George excels at building strong relationships at all levels and consistently improving business performance, whilst also developing mutually beneficial partnerships.
Iain McIlwee
Iain McIlwee
Iain McIlwee is a Materials Engineer, whose journey in construction started in a scaffolding yard in Hanwell in 1995. Iain is now CEO of Finishes and Interiors Sector, the trade body fit-out, interiors and finishing sector representing suppliers, distributors and contractors and supporting a focus on quality and change in this £10 billion sector. Iain is a strong champion of the trade association model and in the past has worked with the FMB, served as CEO of the British Woodworking Federation and was also a non-executive Director of FENSA for four years - he is currently a Vice Chair of the Construction Products Association.
John Newcomb
John Newcomb
John has led the Builders Merchant Federation (BMF), the trade association for the building materials supply chain, since 2012.
In 2020, John was appointed to the Construction Leadership Council’s Construction Industry Taskforce, working with government and trade bodies representing the whole construction ecosystem to co-ordinate the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep the critical components of the building materials supply chain operating. In recognition of the positive impact of his work with the CLC, John was named by the Business Leader Magazine as one of 32 Top Business Heroes during the COVID crisis.
John is the current President of UFEMAT, the European trade body for the merchant industry, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants and the Worshipful Company of Marketors. He received the Trade Association Forum’s prestigious Leadership Award in 2019.
Lee Jones
Lee Jones
As an experienced construction journalist and editor of many years standing, Lee Jones has worked tirelessly to disseminate the latest industry information and showcase its innovations. Passionate about promoting a positive image for built environment professionals, and upholding best practice, his position at Professional Builder magazine has allowed him to champion the SME firms that are the engine room of one of the most UK’s most important economic sectors and advance their interests.
Lynne Sullivan OBE
Lynne Sullivan OBE
Lynne Sullivan is an Architect and founded sustainableBYdesign, finalists in all three 2010-2012 BRE-sponsored UK Passivhaus prototype Competitions.
Previously Lynne was Sustainability Director for 9 years at Broadway Malyan, and for 10 years Associate Director at ECD Architects, where as Project Architect she won an RIBA Regional Design Award, and was co-author and winner of the UK’s first government-sponsored Zero CO2 housing competition.
Lynne is now a design consultant, Visiting Professor, and industry Board member; sits on local and national design commissions and review panels, and is an RIBA Competitions Design Advisor. She authors and chairs many policy review and research projects for UK governments and others, including the Scottish Government’s Expert Panel for “A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland”, and the CLC Buildings Mission 2030 Taskgroup.
She was awarded an OBE for services to Architecture in 2011, is Chair of the Good Homes Alliance, and a member of the CLC’s Green Construction Board since its inception.
Mark Garnier MP
Mark Garnier MP
Mark Garnier was first elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest in 2010. On entering Parliament, he served for over 6 years on the Treasury Select Committee as well as the influential Parliamentary Commission for Banking Standards. Mark is the Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Thailand, Myanmar, Brunei and Vietnam.
In 2016, after a short spell as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Thailand, Myanmar and Brunei, Mark was appointed Minister for Investment at the newly formed Department for International Trade.
On leaving government in 2018, Mark took up new positions in Parliament and now serves on the International Trade Select Committee, chairs the Committee for Arms Export Control.
He chairs the All Party Group for the Association of South East Asian Nations, and the All Party Corporate Governance Group. He is also the vice chair of the All Party China Group, and the All Party Space Group.
Melissa York
Melissa York
Melissa York is the assistant property editor at The Times and The Sunday Times and works on both titles’ award-winning property sections, Bricks & Mortar and Home. She has picked up a few awards herself, including Sustainability Journalist of the Year 2022 and Property Journalist of the Year 2022.
Paula Higgins
Paula Higgins
Paula is the founder and CEO of the HomeOwners Alliance, a popular property advice website with over five million visitors a year. The HomeOwners Alliance is an advocate for changes in policy and industry practice to get a better deal for homeowners and to provide advice and services. She is a respected commentator and is regularly quoted by national media and appears on consumer shows on TV and radio. Prior to HomeOwners Alliance, Paula worked for 15 years as a civil servant for the UK and EU, specialising in the areas of buildings, planning and environment policy.
Peter Caplehorn
Peter Caplehorn
Peter Johns
Peter Johns
NaCSBA is the voice of the custom and self-build industry, working to make custom and self-build a mainstream housing choice for everyone. Peter’s role as CEO is to help grow the organisation so that they can continue to deliver their aims and bring real value to their members.
Peter is also MD of an independently owned consumer magazine and event organisation business. Employing 30+ staff. Responsible for overall management, strategic development, acquisitions, launches and magazine circulation. The company operates in two principle markets - inland waterways and off road motorcycle sport. The two core brands are Waterways World and TMX. For 25 years SelfBuild & Design magazine and exhibitions were also part of the company before being sold in 2022.
Simon Ayers
Simon Ayers
Simon’s career runs into the best part of 30 years’ in energy, construction and related sectors. He is currently the Chief Executive of TrustMark, which connects consumers with competent, vetted tradespeople to work in or around their homes.
Following the implementation of findings from the Each Home Counts (EHC) review, TrustMark has expanded this remit to include Repair, Maintenance & Improvement (RMI); Retrofit and Energy Efficiency Measures to enhance the protection and choice available to consumers wanting to improve the energy performance of their homes.
Simon is currently navigating TrustMark through these changes as an organisation, helping to develop a level playing field of government-endorsed quality for any home-improvement, as well as driving continual advances in cross-sector standards.
Simon has earned a reputation for his vision, passion, and dedication as a leader in the industry and is the driving force behind what’s at the heart of the TrustMark’s success: consumer trust and confidence.
Tom Reynolds
Tom Reynolds
Tom Reynolds is Chief Executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), a trade body with over 50 corporate members producing the majority of the branded bathroom fixtures and fittings supplied to the UK market. The association focuses heavily on product compliance and all aspects of sustainability. Before joining the BMA in 2019, Tom was Commercial & Public Affairs Director at the British Ceramic Confederation where he had a particular interest in international trade policy. Prior to entering the world of trade associations Tom worked as a journalist and producer in trade media and started his career as a parliamentary aide. He is an alumnus of Keele University, holding an honours degree in Law and Politics and an MRes in Environmental Politics.
Meet the 2023 regional judges
Alan Tate
Alan Tate
Alan is a Partner in Michelmores’ Construction & Engineering team in its Bristol office. Alan focuses on the transactional side of the construction, dealing with the procurement of and construction of projects on behalf of the 'employer/client'. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building and re-qualified as a solicitor in 1998. Alan has always been in the construction sector.
Alan is a 'leading individual' in the current edition of Legal 500 for construction and have been for a number of years. I’m also Ranked in Chambers UK 2023 and has been for the past 9 years.
Alan Wilson
Alan Wilson
Alan Wilson is the Managing Director of SELECT, the trade association for electrical businesses in Scotland. Founded in 1923, SELECT is the largest trade association in Scotland, with 1250 member businesses. He has worked for SELECT for 10 years joining as Head of Membership and Communications in 2013 from SNIPEF, the plumbing federation, where he had worked for 27 years.
Alan is also Director of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB) and a Trustee of the industry apprenticeship training organisation SECTT (The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust). He is also chair and one of the founder members of the CICV (the Construction Industry Collective Voice).
Astrid Madsen
Astrid Madsen
For well over a decade Astrid has been editing Selfbuild magazine, the All Ireland leading publication for anyone building new or renovating their home. She is also contributing to Selfbuild+, the new members only resource for self-builders, in an editorial capacity and as the voice of the Selfbuild+ Podcast. A journalist with a background in the energy sector and market intelligence, she holds an MBA and is a member of the NUJ freelance branch in Dublin.
Barry Neilson
Barry Neilson
Barry has a Civil Engineering background, starting work as an apprentice draughtsman and progressing to complete a BSc in Civil Engineering,
Much of Barry’s early career was with Civil Engineering consultancies. He has a strong background in the Housing Sector having worked with both the Scottish Special Housing Association and NHBC.
With strong views on the value and importance of training & developing people he joined the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) as Director for Scotland and worked closely with the construction sector to develop its expertise in construction management. He was seconded from CIOB to work with the Department of Business Industry & Skills and was instrumental in developing the TrustMark initiative. On completion of this work Barry stayed in the south east of England and took up the role of Director for Policy and External relations for the CIOB.
The ethos of developing people and skills was carried on in a brief diversion outside the construction sector while taking up the position as Scottish & NI Director with Cogent, the SSC for the Petrochemical, Polymer and Nuclear Industries. In May 2010, Barry Joined CITB NI as Chief Executive.
Caroline Culot
Caroline Culot
Caroline Culot is a property and business expert who works as a Marketing Manager for the global firm Brown&Co.
Caroline joined Brown&Co in August 2021 after working for Archant Media as Property Editor for 15 years, writing extensively on homes for sale and rent for a variety of publications. At the same time, Caroline co-hosted the Home-to-Home property TV show.
Caroline now creates property-related content for Brown&Co and in her spare time manages her own property portfolio as well as writing a book about homes and construction.
Eddie Weir
Eddie Weir
Eddie Weir is the current President of CIAT (Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists) and only the second ever CIAT President to come from Northern Ireland. He was previously the Institutes Vice-President Practice and is a Former Chair of the CIAT Northern Ireland Regional Committee.
But first and foremost Eddie is a “Chartered Architectural Technologist” and the Principal Partner of ADP which is a highly regarded Architectural Practice based in Holywood, Co. Down.
With more than 20 years practice experience, Eddie is well known for delivering global presentations on the topic of “Professional Practice” and is a resident judge for the International Property Awards and many other organisations within the Construction Industry.
Gerald Naylor
Gerald Naylor
Gerald Naylor is an education and training consultant and former Director of the Construction Wales Innovation Centre a unique collaborative venture between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Construction Industry Training Board.
Previously, Gerald was Head of the Built Environment at Coleg Sir Gâr with over twenty years’ experience in delivering and managing vocational education and training in work-based learning, further and higher education. He received a college award in Recognition of National Success for Collaborative Partnerships in 2012.
Gerald was a part-time Estyn (HMI) Inspector for work based learning and further education and formally an External Examiner for the University College of Estate Management. He is currently an External Verifier for the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).
Harvey Fremlin
Harvey Fremlin
Harvey joined the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in 2008 and as Managing Director helped create a new, employee-owned business, which has operated the unique visitor centre since 2014.
Named Wiltshire small business of the year in 2017, the NSBRC received recognition from the Employee Ownership Association in 2021, winning their ‘Business Resilience’ award.
In 2022 the NSBRC celebrated 15 years of helping people create better, sustainable homes and in 2023 Harvey is leading the team’s focus on placing sustainability and energy efficiency at the core of their activities.
Harvey is delighted to be a judge for the 2023 Regional Master Builder of the Year Awards and is looking forward to acknowledging the worthy winners.
Helena Blundell
Helena Blundell
Helena Blundell has worked in customer service and retail for over 10 years with 3 years’ experience in trade. As a National Account Partner for TradePoint, Helena will onboard and develop large national companies with the purpose of building a commercial relationship. With Companies covering a wide range of sectors, Including associations, care and hospitality, to name a few.
Jayne Dowle
Jayne Dowle
Jayne Dowle is an award-winning homes and property journalist writing for a range of publications including Sunday Times Home, Times Bricks & Mortar, Grand Designs, Selfbuilder + Homemaker, House Beautiful and Ideal Home.
Self-building, renovation, upcycling and garden/outdoor space re-design are some of her favourite topics.
Based in South Yorkshire, she lives in a 1920s house which she renovated with her partner, so her hands-on experience informs her work. The project included a loft conversion and re-designing and landscaping the garden and outdoor space.
Joanne Ridout
Joanne Ridout
Some people say Joanne has a passion for homes but she says it’s more than that; it’s her life. While other children were nagging to go to the park, she was demanding to be taken to the newest show home. If people left their curtains open, Joanne was looking in, fascinated to see their choice of interior design. From renovating dated homes to professionally home staging for clients to advising on interior design to writing her blog, when her passion became her profession at WalesOnline she was completely overjoyed.
Every day she appreciates writing about property, renovations, interiors, historic buildings, planning, and property stories for WalesOnline and the Media Wales print titles and building a property and homes audience that she can share her passion with. Love of property is a worldwide family with no barriers to entry; she feels blessed to be a member of that family.
Julie Putman
Julie Putman
Julie Putman provides support and guidance for the professional development of managers in the construction sector. She helps existing and new clients both in an individual capacity, and working with companies/sites to help in the following areas:
- Sourcing training options for CPD, networking, specific course titles, bespoke training requirements.
- Identifying routes to gaining CIOB Chartered Membership - MCIOB/ FCIOB and supporting candidates through their journey.
- Providing department workshops (inc virtual) for team development.
- Complimenting and providing support for L&D/HR departments
She has a strong construction background, and firmly believe in the ‘local’ relationship making the difference.
Karen Stylianides
Karen Stylianides
Karen Stylianides is editor of the self-build and home-renovation title Grand Designs, the official magazine of the globally renowned Channel 4 TV show. Her remit also includes overseeing editorial content for the magazine’s digital portfolio and Grand Designs Live. Karen has been a professional journalist and editor for more than 20 years. After graduating with a BA in English/Philosophy, she began her career working for The Press Association and Today newspaper. Prior to editing Grand Designs, she worked for a range of publications including House Beautiful, Livingetc, Ideal Home and Good Homes, producing a wealth of creative and engaging home-interest content along the way.
As well as being a 2021 regional judge Karen is offering a special discount to FMB member who want to subscribe for Grand Design Magazine.
The Federation of Master Builders discount
£2.10 per month Direct Debit (cancel any time) saving 52% off the cover price
13 issues by Direct Debit for £19.99, and 65% off the shop price
13 issues by Credit Card for £22.99, saving 59% off the shop price
Click here to take advance of this limited time offer.
Kieran Findlay
Kieran Findlay
Kieran has been the Editor of Scottish Construction Now, delivering comprehensive coverage of Scotland’s building sector, for more than 10 years. He is also the Editor of social housing publication Scottish Housing News, providing a major daily resource for housing associations, local authorities and third sector organisations. He has recently taken on editorial responsibilities at Scottish Financial News. Having joined a local news agency after graduating from the University of Dundee, Kieran has reported on stories for local and national press on a freelance basis, helped deliver corporate communications for a large Scottish housing association and covered Scottish and UK elections.
Michael Bool
Michael Bool
Michael Bool is a chartered Architect with over 15 years’ experience in the construction sector working in the residential, education, hi-tech industrial and commercial sectors. In 2018 Michael founded Oochitecture an Architectural practice based in Pembrokeshire to provide a high-quality architectural service for residential and commercial clients across South Wales and beyond. He is passionate about design, building and the successfully delivery of projects for his clients. Prior to establishing Oochitecture, Michael managed the Cardiff Architectural Studio for Atkins global a multi-discipline practice. Michael is currently Chairperson of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW)– West Wales Branch and a member of the Constructing Excellence Wales (CEW) SWW Best Practice Club.
Michaela Wain
Michaela Wain
Michaela Wain is an established business woman within the construction industry. She is the managing director of Design and Build UK, Vantage Utility Connections, Property Ninjas and Framework Marketing. Michaela was a finalist on BBC The Apprentice and later secured the investment after her exposure on the show. She is passionate about ED and I in construction. She started the first ever Women in Construction awards and has spoken about this topic at the House of Lords. She works closely with The Maggie Oliver Foundation supporting women and girls who have survived sexual abuse.
Mike Hearsey
Mike Hearsey
Mike Leonard
Mike Leonard
Mike is currently driving many initiatives to achieve our climate change objectives, whilst ensuring resilience in the built environment.
A strong believer in the power of collaboration he has built an extensive industry and academic network, identifying, and acting on common goals. He is the founder of the Futures Group, the UK cross-industry, and highly influential new homes “Think Tank”.
Mike is currently involved in research aimed at improving the quality in building. This includes Future Homes Standard Demonstrators, preventing overheating, enhancing indoor air quality, addressing the fire risk, reducing the use of single life plastics, decarbonising the built environment, and embracing the skills gap.
Nikki Davis
Nikki Davis
Nikki Davis took up post as Principal and Chief Executive Officer at Leeds College of Building in August 2022 – the first female to be appointed to the role since the College was formed in 1960.
Her previous role was as Vice Principal Teaching, Learning and Quality at the College, which Nikki joined in 2019. Before that, Nikki worked at York College for four years as Vice Principal for Technical and Professional Education, leading on Apprenticeship delivery.
Nikki has worked in a variety of Further Education providers across West and North Yorkshire, with experience across a range of subject areas but a particular focus on vocational and technical provision.
Peter Ranken
Peter Ranken
Peter Ranken is an architect with over 30-years’ experience of designing housing, including master-planning, regeneration, new build and one off houses.
He has a particular interest in the design of sustainable and low-energy buildings. He is also a certified Passivhaus Designer, has completed the first Passivhaus health centre for the NHS and is currently working on a number of Passivhaus residential projects.
He was nominated as judge by the UK Passivhaus Trust.
Richard Hibbert
Richard Hibbert
Richard Hibbert is the current Managing Director of KSL Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms in Sudbury, Suffolk and KBSA National chair with 21 years industry experience. Richard is a trained chef and uses this experience in his designs today. A regular writer for trade and retail KBB magazines, national design awards judge, as well as a business consultant for the KBB industry.
Scott Mckenzie
Scott Mckenzie
Scott represents the Local Authority Building Standards Scotland (LABSS), an organisation that represents all 32 Local Authority verifiers in Scotland. He is also the Senior Manager for Protective Services at North Ayrshire Council and is responsible for the Environmental Health, Trading Standards and Building Standards functions.
A graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University, Scott has worked in Local Government for over 23 years and has represented LABSS and its predecessor organisations in various positions for the last 18. He is currently working closely with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders on the various workstreams relating to the Building Standards Futures Board which aims to ensure that, moving forward, the nation has a first class and sustainable Building Standards service.
Tom Butler
Tom Butler
Tom is the Head of Sales & Marketing for the GGF Commercial Group which encompasses FENSA, BFRC, Installsure and RISA. He is responsible for running numerous B2B and B2C campaigns simultaneously whilst driving sales for each of the group’s companies. He says its a really enjoyable role.