The awards night was hosted by comedian Jason ManfordThe Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) announced the winners of this year’s LEEA Awards at a gala in Liverpool.
The winners of the annual awards recognising excellence in the lifting industry are:
- Craig Morelli Award – Best Trainer: Jasen Doyle – Industrial Training International
- Industry Leader Award: Ashley Thacker of Ranger – Lifting Rigging Safety
- Innovation (Product) Award: Rope Watcher – Certex UK
- Innovation (Service) Award: Inspection Department (Lifting Equipment) – Saudi Aramco
- Kevin Holmes Award – Excellence in People Development: Crane Operators and Riggers Development – Saudi Aramco
- Lifting Equipment Technician: Chris Belka of Sparrows Offshore Services
- Lifting Operation Award: MGF/Ainscough (Anfield Stadium) – MGF/Ainscough
- Rising Star Award: Mark McClure of WH Scott and Son Engineers
- Safety Award: Lifting Planning Aid – Sheffield Forgemasters
- Sustainable Award: Powertex Products – Lifting Solutions Group
The awards dinner was attended by 380 guests from around the world, including Australia and Saudi Arabia, and more than GBP4,000 (USD5,100) was raised on the night for LEEA’s chosen charity, the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association).
“Congratulations to all the award winners and finalists for such impressive achievements,” said LEEA chief executive officer Ross Moloney. “Winning a LEEA Award is not easy, which makes it a tremendous achievement, particularly as among the almost 100 entries received this year, the standard was higher than ever.”