by Harry Hunter | Wed 15 Jul 2026
CPA Stars of the Future Award sucess
The Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has announced the winners of its 2026 Stars of the Future Awards, following the largest and most competitive programme in the event's history.
Held at the Heart of England Conference and Events Centre near Coventry, this year's awards attracted a record 109 nominations since the initiative was launched in 2013. More than 350 guests attended the ceremony, with industry journalist and presenter Peter Haddock hosting the event.
The awards recognise outstanding apprentices, trainees and mentors from across the construction plant sector, covering disciplines including plant mechanics, plant technicians, hire controllers, plant operatives, crane operators, technical support and apprentice mentoring.
This year's programme featured 25 national, regional and special award categories, with a panel of 13 judges (including Earthmovers' own Graham Black) spending more than 1,600 hours assessing entries.
The winners of each national category were as follows:
National Plant Mechanic of the Year - Harrison Kipping-Bier, J P Dunn Construction, National Construction College East
National Plant Technician of the Year - Harun Anderson Mohammed, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy
Hire Controller of the Year - Matthew Oliver, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage
Young Plant Operative of the Year - Eve Bright, Flannery Plant Hire
Plant Operative of the Year - Kovid Sawon, Flannery Plant Hire
Crane Operative of the Year - Paul Reeves, Ainscough Crane Hire
Plant Installer of the Year - Samuel Lindley, Churchill Living PLC and Rhys Bush, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage (Joint Winners)
Technical Support Person of the Year - Callum Shepherdson, Flannery Plant Hire
Individual Apprentice Mentor of the Year - Jake Davies, Wolffkran
Group Apprentice Mentor of the Year - Valon Krivenjeva, L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage
Best Personal Statement Award - Mason Pooley, Sunbelt Rentals
Judges' Special Award - Hannah Ward, Finning UK & Ireland, Finning Academy
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