2025 FMB South Master Builder Awards
2025 South West winners
Stonewood Builders Limited, Commercial or Public Sector Project
The Sherborne House restoration aimed to transform a Grade I Listed Georgian mansion into a versatile arts centre while preserving its historical significance. Key highlights include the meticulous restoration of the Sir James Thornhill murals, preservation of the medieval wing, and the striking contemporary glazed pavilion. Challenges arose in relation to the delicate mural restorations, structural complexities, hand-painting the façade to replicate ashlar stone, and constructing a new basement in difficult ground conditions, but all were managed with professional precision. The project is a remarkable example of architectural conservation, bringing a cherished heritage site back from the brink to become a vibrant cultural hub, showcasing exceptional dedication and craftsmanship.
ADD Sustainable Construction Ltd, Housebuilder Award
ADD Sustainable Construction Ltd delivered an extraordinary coastal home in Cornwall that sets a new benchmark for sustainable living. Built to exceed best-practice carbon reduction targets, this low-energy home combines a green roof, solar panels, and ground source heating with exceptional air tightness. A green roof enhances biodiversity, while elevated living areas capture sweeping views of Polzeath beach. Despite disruptions and complex site logistics, including a brief to retain a cooking apple tree, the team exceeded expectations. One judge called it “a masterpiece against all adversities.” A blend of innovation, craftsmanship, and low-carbon performance, this home exemplifies what modern housebuilding can achieve.
Vision Installs Limited, Large Renovation Project
Vision Installs Limited completed a luxury upgrade of a 1920s detached family home, enhancing space with a small extension while retaining the original footprint. The design blends classic elegance with modern innovation. A standout feature is the Lutron/Control4 system, allowing full control of lighting, heating, and blinds via an app. The indoor pool’s roof was replaced with glass, flooding the area with natural light. A bespoke cinema room, multifunctional lighting, and integrated smart home tech. This transformation delivers comfort, style, and cutting-edge automation, redefining modern family living in a timeless setting.
Stanley C Baker and Sons Limited, Small Renovation Project
Stanley C Baker and Sons Limited were tasked with transforming an existing garage into a bespoke gym that combines functionality and elegance while complementing the property’s character. Key features include a custom-built skate ramp, handcrafted joinery for storage and the use of Venetian plaster finishes. The team overcame significant challenges, including damp-proofing due to the hillside location and integrating modern features like air conditioning and steel-framed windows into the original structure. The client praised the team’s professionalism and their attention to detail in providing them a gym that feels like a natural extension to their home.
Stanley C Baker and Sons Limited, Kitchen Project
Stanley C Baker and Sons Limited have created a bespoke, high-quality kitchen for this new-build farmhouse, blending modern functionality with traditional aesthetics. Key highlights include an AGA cooker, hand-painted tiles, stone worktops, oak beams, a glazed gable, and a traditional walk-in larder. The team effectively tackled challenges pertaining to integrating traditional features into a modern build, precision installation of bespoke elements, and complex glazed gable installation. The client praised the builders' attention to detail and communication, and the finished result showcases exceptional craftsmanship, design, and client satisfaction, successfully blending timeless and modern elements.
William Hawking of Dale Chadwick Carpentry & Construction Ltd, Outstanding Builder of the Year
William Hawking of Dale Chadwick Carpentry & Construction Ltd is the driving force behind the company’s most ambitious project to date, its first insulated concrete formwork (ICF) ‘Grand Design’, delivered on time, on budget, and to exceptional standards. Taking the lead on the project, Will mastered a new system, mentored the team, liaised with clients and suppliers, and ensured even the smallest details met exacting expectations – which all helped to secure three further builds through the developer. A skilled tradesperson, natural leader, and selfless teammate, Will also trains award-winning apprentices and volunteers his building skills to local community projects. Judges praised his ‘outstanding leadership, dedication and impact’ on those around him – making him a worthy of recognition.
Billy Papworth of B.& M. Babbage & Co. Limited, Apprentice of the Year
Billy Papworth has shown outstanding dedication to his learning and development throughout his first year as an apprentice. From consistently arriving early on varied job sites to quickly building his own tool collection, he demonstrates commitment and initiative. Billy’s passion for the trade is clear and he regularly asks about upcoming tasks and takes time to research them in advance, giving him valuable insight before work begins. Eager to get involved, he approaches each task with enthusiasm, confidence, and a strong willingness to learn. His positive attitude and proactive mindset have set him apart early in his apprenticeship journey.
Airsat (Construction) Ltd, Bathroom Project
Airsat (Construction) Ltd remodelled a bathroom to incorporate a range of modern and luxurious fittings for their client. Key features include an electric underfloor, a lavish shower and hot tub bath and sophisticated LED lighting. The Airsat team were responsible for the project from start to completion, including the design phase, with a team skilled in aspects such as plumbing and electricity. They overcame challenges such as connecting the soil stack to the far-reaching main line and integrating the bathroom with the water softener system. The client is thrilled with the outcome and would highly recommend the team for future projects.
Stonewood Builders Limited, Sustainable Building Award
Stonewood Builders Limited have regenerated the Englefield Estate’s historic Sawmill into a sustainable, modern estate office, preserving its heritage as part of a broader regeneration plan. Key highlights include a "fabric-first" approach with sheep’s wool and cork insulation, solar panels generating 38,000 kWh annually for air-source heat pumps, and extensive biodiversity enhancements. The project embraced a circular economy by prioritising UK-sourced, reclaimed, and local materials, achieving an EPC upgrade from G to A. Challenges involved retrofitting modern systems into a Grade II-listed building, structural complexities, asbestos removal, and procurement issues due to hyperinflation. Relationships were managed through collaborative meetings, shared environmental goals, and proactive engagement with ecologists, landscape architects, and neighbours.
Stanley C Baker and Sons Limited, Medium Renovation Project
Stanley C Baker and Sons Ltd transformed a neglected annexe in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into a refined one-bedroom retreat. The Glebe House Cottage renovation balanced sustainability and craftsmanship, featuring bespoke joinery, underfloor heating, and energy-efficient windows, all delivered with exceptional attention to detail. Sensitive to its setting, the team worked closely with the client, designers, and local authorities to blend character with comfort. The judges praised the project’s preservation of character, balanced with its energy efficiency improvements. It’s a masterclass in high-quality renovation that overcame design changes and planning constraints to deliver a timeless, welcoming space that exceeded expectations.
AB Conduit Building Ltd, Business of the Year
AB Conduit Building has been named Building Company of the Year, recognised for successfully navigating the challenges and changes within the industry. The company places strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, fostering a culture of care and compassion. By prioritising regular breaks and manageable workloads, they ensure high morale and, in turn, high-quality workmanship. Their people-first approach not only supports a healthy working environment but also drives the consistent delivery of exceptional results across all their projects.
Thank you to our sponsors
Drinks reception sponsor
TradePoint is the trade only arm of B&Q, offering a huge range of trusted brands. We supply products and services for every project, all under one roof at convenient locations nationwide. Our range not only covers building, decorating, electrical, plumbing, tools, hardware, landscaping, timber, joinery, safety, workwear and much more, but we also have dedicated kitchens and bathrooms showrooms with takeaway same day ranges.
Whether you're a builder, decorator or kitchen and bathroom fitter, you could be eligible for free TradePoint membership, giving you access to a great range of materials and tools.
For more information, visit www.trade-point.co.uk
Event supporters
City & Guilds is the preferred brand and route for skills. We have been fulfilling our charitable purpose since 1878, by advancing skills for people, organisations, and societies. With 3.5 million learners worldwide, we understand the life-changing link between skills development, social mobility, prosperity, and success. We champion vocational and technical training routes and collaborate with industries and government to campaign for improvements across the global skills landscape.
We work with over 2500 employers to deliver high-quality skills training and credentials, both in person and online, that meet the changing needs of industry and skills challenges. We deliver qualifications and awards to thousands of colleges and training providers across the globe, creating end-to-end solutions and improving learner skills and productivity. City & Guilds courses have contributed £11.2bn to society in the UK alone.
Bournemouth and Poole College educates over 10,000 students including more than 2,000 apprentices, and works with local and national businesses in order to deliver the widest possible choice of quality training. We offer a suite of T Levels and other training courses including free courses and hobby courses across Dorset and the UK, as well as a suite of online courses. We work with businesses and organisations to help make apprentices who will assist businesses' development and grow future leaders.
Our history of working with employers allows us plan individualised training to suit business needs. Bournemouth and Poole College’s specialisms include, (but are not limited to); trades and professions such as Engineering, Construction, Plumbing, Hairdressing, Performance Arts and Catering. For more information on our courses you can view: http://www.thecollege.co.uk.
Northern Building Plastics offers express nationwide delivery from our 5 super depots on a huge range of fascia and soffit, guttering, window trims, cladding, roofing, timber and much more. Order up to 10pm for free next day delivery via our own fleet. For more information visit www.nbp.co.uk
CITB is the industry training board for the construction sector in England, Scotland, and Wales. It’s our job to help the construction industry attract talent and to support skills development, to build a better Britain. CITB’s dedicated advisers support employers every step of the way with SMEs able to have up to 95% of their apprenticeships training costs covered, as well as providing training support for your current workforce.
For more information, visit www.citb.co.uk
2025 South West judges
Harvey Fremlin
Harvey Fremlin
Harvey joined the National Self Build & Renovation Centre (NSBRC) in 2008 and has led a team of employee-owners, as managing director, since 2014. The NSBRC’s mission is to help people build better, sustainable homes and aside from being open six days a week, it offers a comprehensive calendar of Shows, Workshops, Courses and Clinics covering a huge range of homebuilding topics. The unique visitor centre has welcomed over a quarter of a million visitors since first opening its doors in 2007. The award-winning NSBRC celebrated a decade of employee-ownership in 2024 and Harvey champions placing employee ownership at the heart of business activities, and believes in empowering colleagues to cultivate an open, caring culture.
Laurence Stone
Laurence Stone
Having worked for CITB for over 6 years Laurence Stone is committed to supporting the construction industry to develop a skilled, competent and inclusive workforce, now and in the future. He possess extensive knowledge of both the construction and education sectors and is experienced in implementing strategic plans to tackle the industry’s changing skills needs.
As the CITB Senior Customer Engagement Manager for the South West, Laurence is responsible for influencing and enabling effective national and regionally senior level relationships with key decision makers to ensure the industry has the skills it needs. He leads a regionally based team tasked with supporting employers with their skills and recruitment needs. Employers are at the heart of everything CITB do and the team is committed to supporting every construction company across the region and ensuring the voice of the South West Construction industry is heard.
Richie West
Richie West
Richie West is the Industry Manager for Construction at City & Guilds, bringing over 30 years of experience in the construction sector. Since joining City & Guilds two years ago,he has worked closely with the construction industry to gather insights into it’s evolving needs and challenges. This collaboration ensures that City & Guilds remains aligned with industry developments, delivering qualifications that are both relevant and fit for purpose.
As a qualified Carpenter & Joiner, Richie brings a wide range of experience across the construction industry, from new housing and commercial projects to exhibition work. Prior to joining City & Guilds, he spent 22 years in further education at one of the UK’s largest further and higher education colleges. Richie started as a Carpentry & Joinery tutor, progressing to the Head of Apprenticeships across multiple sectors and campuses. Richie's extensive background allows him to connect industry knowledge with educational initiatives; playing a key role in developing the next generation of skilled professionals in construction.