Mock the Week star to host ScaffEx26 awards night

Comedian and television presenter Dara Ó Briain will host this year’s Scaffolding Excellence Awards at ScaffEx26 in Manchester.

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Comedian and television presenter Dara Ó Briain has been confirmed as the host of this year’s Scaffolding Excellence Awards.

The awards evening will take place on Friday 11 September in Manchester, as part of ScaffEx26.

Ó Briain is best known in the UK for hosting Mock the Week, Blockbusters, Robot Wars and Stargazing Live. He is also one of the country’s most established stand-up comedians.

Industry celebration

The Scaffolding Excellence Awards are organised by NASC and recognise work across the scaffolding and access sector.

The awards cover projects, design, products, services, apprentices and long-term contribution to the industry.

This year’s event will again bring together contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, training providers and industry figures for one of the main networking evenings in the scaffolding calendar.

Entries for the 2026 awards have now opened.

The awards will use the same 9 categories as last year, with one change. Apprentice of the Year has been renamed the Wayne Connolly Apprentice of the Year Award, in memory of the former NASC president and CISRS chairman, who died unexpectedly in December 2025.

Dr James MacFadden, Senior Responsible CSA Engineer at Sellafield, will return as chair of the judging panel.

The winners will be announced during the awards evening at ScaffEx26.

Further details on the awards and entry criteria are available from NASC.

Daniel Norton
Daniel NortonFounder & Editorhttps://www.scaffmag.com
Daniel Norton is the founder and editor of Scaffmag and Editor-in-Chief of Scaffold & Access Magazine. A former scaffolder, he founded Scaffmag in 2008 and now leads its news and editorial coverage of the global scaffolding and access industry, including safety, regulation, business, innovation and major industry events.

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