B&ES Specialist Groups presented awards to four of the industry's most talented young trainees at the agm and conference, which was held, for the sixth successive year, at Trinity House in London.
Robert Seed of Hargreaves Ductwork, Bury, was named Harry Hobbs Ductwork Trainee of the Year.

Scott Ramm of J S Wright & Co, Aston, Birmingham, secured the Craft Trainee of the Year Award, sponsored by the Association's Heating & Plumbing Services (HAPS) Group.

The award, presented in memory of Harry Decker, for top refrigeration and air conditioning trainee went to Jeremy Gould of Mannings Facilities Management, based in Warmley, Bristol.

The Service & Facilities Group's Richard Bostel Service Technician of the Year Award was clinched by Daniel Emmett of national contractor N G Bailey, based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

The awards were presented by editor, journalist and broadcaster Andrew Neil, who was guest speaker at the event.

During the annual general meetings, Bob Lane of Roperhurst was elected chairman of the Ductwork Group, succeeding Peter Rogers of Ductwork Projects. Tony Williams replaced Scott Gleed of Ceilite Air Conditioning as chairman of the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump (RACHP) Group.

Tim Hopkinson of Hargreaves Ductwork and Malcolm Thomson of Enigma Environmental Services became vice chairman of the Ductwork and RACHP Group respectively, and both chairmen and vice chairmen were elected to the Council of the Association.

John Hurst of N Power Business and Social Housing was re-elected chairman of the HAPS Group and Alan Gregory of IAQ Services was re-elected chairman of the Service & Facilities Group.

In her address, B&ES president Sue Sharp reminded her audience of the central role which all four specialist groups played in the life and work of the association, which was underlined by the fact that more than 70% of the embership enjoyed at least one group affiliation.

She said: 'That, surely, is proof enough - if proof were needed - that group membership today is as valuable, and as valued, as it has ever been.'

In addition, she recalled that last year's change of name - to the Building & Engineering Services Association - had been undertaken at least in part to underline the range of specialisms already contained within the membership.

She added: 'The attendance here today reminds us that we all have our different roles to play in ensuring the excellence of the nation's building engineering services and systems - not just their design and installation, but also their commissioning, their maintenance and their control.'