The winners of the 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards have been announced following Friday night’s ceremony at Manchester Central.
The awards brought ScaffEx26 to a close after two days of exhibitions, conference sessions and live demonstrations, with companies and individuals recognised across nine categories covering apprentices, products, services, design and projects.
NASC said entries for this year’s awards were up 40% on 2025, with the winners revealed during a gala evening attended by figures from across the UK scaffolding and access sector.
Dara O’Briain, Rachel Riley, Kym Marsh and Phil Tufnell joined the evening’s celebrations.
An emotional tribute to Wayne Connolly
One of the most moving moments of the night came before the presentation of the Wayne Connolly Apprentice of the Year Award.
A tribute film shown on the big screen featured interviews with Wayne’s former colleagues at NASC and Connolly Scaffolding, who spoke warmly about the man they had worked alongside and the impact he had on those around him.
The film also included clips from a poignant interview Wayne recorded before his death, capturing much of the character, humour and personality for which he was known across the industry.
It proved an emotional moment in the room and was met with a standing ovation from guests.
Wayne’s partner was also present and took to the stage to present the award. The couple had been due to marry just weeks before his untimely death.
The award was won by Leo Bradbury of High Peak Scaffolding.
The apprentice category was renamed this year in memory of the former NASC president and CISRS chairman, who died in December 2025.
Product and service winners
George Roberts Ltd took the Service of the Year award, while AT-PAC won Product of the Year for its Raised Ledger System.
Benchmark Scaffolding was named winner of Design of the Year.
Project winners
JMAC Industrial & Access Group Ltd took Project of the Year in the Small category.
Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Limited won Project of the Year, Medium, while Alandale Plant & Scaffolding Ltd collected the Large Project award.
GKR Scaffolding Ltd completed the project categories by winning Project of the Year, Major.
Lifetime achievement
Chris Sedgeman was also recognised individually on the night, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award had been kept under wraps ahead of the ceremony and was announced during Friday evening’s event.
NASC described the night as a celebration of the people, products and projects making an outstanding contribution to the industry, while also recognising a number of finalists as Highly Commended.
The ceremony marked the end of ScaffEx26 at Manchester Central, following two days that brought together contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, training providers and other organisations from across the scaffolding and access sector.
2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards winners
Wayne Connolly Apprentice of the Year: Leo Bradbury, High Peak Scaffolding
Service of the Year: George Roberts Ltd
Product of the Year: AT-PAC, Raised Ledger System
Design of the Year: Benchmark Scaffolding
Project of the Year, Small: JMAC Industrial & Access Group Ltd
Project of the Year, Medium: Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding Limited
Project of the Year, Large: Alandale Plant & Scaffolding Ltd
Project of the Year, Major: GKR Scaffolding Ltd
Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris Sedgeman
