Simon Reeve at North Midland Construction PLC has won the coveted Apprentice of the Year title at this year’s Construction News Specialist Awards ceremony held recently at the Hilton Hotel in London.
It is the first time that the company has entered the awards – the only national awards that recognise and celebrate the very best specialist contractors in the UK, and everyone was delighted to find out that Simon had been short listed as one of eight finalists.
The final part of the submission process involved Simon and Karen Morris, Head of HR Business Partnering, delivering a presentation to four industry specialists in January 2014.
Simon impressed the judges for several reasons. Alongside his work with major client Severn Trent Water he stood out for his passion and dedication to even the smallest aspects of his role, from recovering a manhole to ensuring all of the assets he looks after are immaculately maintained.
The judges were also impressed with Simon’s level of knowledge about his sector, as well as his innovation and creative side. Simon developed the use of GRP anti-slip surrounds to chamber openings where previously other adhesives have been tested and failed – this is now being implemented across Severn Trent Water and NMC in addition to other nation-wide schemes.
“Simon is a great ambassador for North Midland Construction. He is a first-class employee who wants to do a brilliant job every time,” said the judges of the award. “He understands both the commercial and people management side of business, and is driven and ambitious to succeed in the industry.”
Head of HR business and planning, Karen Morris said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Simon has won. We couldn’t think of a person more deserving of the award and believe that Simon has a very bright future ahead of him.”
Since winning the award Simon has become a permanent member of the team, and is now an assistant project engineer at NMC.
