Posted on 7 October
Big Awards round off successful year for LCB
Leeds College of Building (LCB) students and apprentices from the 2025/2026 academic year were honoured last week at the annual BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards.
More awards were handed out than ever before including 50 trophies and ten Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) QUEST Technician Scholarships.
The ceremony was hosted by BIG Awards regular Rich Williams (Absolute Radio and LUTV), who once again made sure applause was ringing out across the Elland Road’s Centenary Pavilion all evening.
In a BIG Awards first, several students took the opportunity to address the crowd, including Brickwork student Niamh Ormsby.
Niamh, who won the Construction Crafts Outstanding Improvement Award, shouted out her Bricklaying tutor Gurjit Rayat (“the best tutor”) and her Progress Coach Cynthia Mandaza (“the best person in the world.”)
In total, 12 organisations supported the evening, including gold headline sponsor Marlborough, strategic partnership sponsor BAM, silver sponsor GMI, and bronze sponsors JN Bentley, Bowmer and Kirkland, and Bethell Group.
Paul Donnelly, Managing Director at Marlborough, said the awards were “a great opportunity to celebrate the success of young people who are going through training.
“They are the future of our industry and the country as a whole – events like this and organisations like LCB are helping to reverse the skills shortfall in construction.”
Sam Wimpenny, Commercial Director at GMI, said he wished he’d have followed the LCB apprenticeship route if he could go back in time.
He said:
“I look back on my career now and I wish that I had taken the more apprentice kind of route, working while I’m learning.
“I went to university full-time and then when I went into work, I found it difficult to bed myself in.
“I think with the apprenticeship and T-level route, you get best of both worlds which sounds fantastic.”
The most prestigious awards of the evening went to Stephen Edmonson who won the Governor’s Award, and Thang Nguyen who took home the Principal’s Award.
Thang, who also won the Faculty Award for Special Achievement, said he was “very surprised” to be going home with two trophies.
He said:
“I am very surprised, being able to take home two awards after a year of hard work makes it all worth it.
“At the beginning I struggled here but so many people have helped me with everything – I want to thank LCB for supporting me.”
Thang was nominated for his awards by his tutors for overcoming significant personal adversity throughout his time at the college while remaining “a kind and respectful young man who tries hard at everything he does.”
When asked what advice he’d give to other people going through hardships whilst juggling their educational commitments, he said: “never give up! Keep on going and you’ll get there in the end.”
We’d like to give a BIG thanks to all our sponsors:
Marlborough Construction Services Limited (Gold Headline Sponsor)
BAM UK & Ireland (Strategic Partnership Sponsor)
GMI Construction Group PLC (Silver Sponsor)
JN Bentley (Bronze Sponsor)
Bethell Group (Bronze Sponsor)
Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd (Bronze Sponsor)
B&K Systems Ltd
Bagnalls
Howarth Timber and Building Supplies Ltd
Robertson Group
Sparta Systems Limited
Wharfedale
Relive the entire night by browsing our picture gallery right here
Fancy yourself as a future winner? Come study with us and join our LCB family. Find a course that works for you right here
