CELEBRATING THE FENCING INDUSTRY’S FINEST AT THE AFI AWARDS – 2025

There was a change of venue and format for the fourth AFI Awards ceremony in mid November.

The previous themes of Rugby and Football have given way to motorsports, which will have no doubt appealed to any petrol heads amongst those attending the awards, as it was held this time at Mercedes Benz World in Weybridge in Surrey, adjacent to the world famous Brooklands racing circuit. It is a dazzling and impressive three-floor building, with a huge display of present day sports and performance models, plus some superb historic beauties with gullwing doors. It also houses events spaces, a restaurant and a simulator studio.

Those representing fencing companies that were up for awards and the other guests of the Association of Fencing Industries were warmly greeted by key AFI Board members, including CEO, Pete Clark and Current Chair, Dominique Stevenson with a Champagne reception at 6pm. That’s the change in format, that meant this was an evening, rather than the usual daytime ‘do’. This allowed guests more than ample time to network and meet fellow fencers, to admire the cars in the exhibition spaces, and for the more competitive amongst the guests to take part in the simulator challenge, to see who could get the fastest time. I have a suspicion that as the beers flowed the lap times may have got slower. All the guests went in to the dining area after 8.00pm where everyone was seated for a delicious and very welcome, 3-course dinner, it was possible to see then that this was an incredibly well attended event.

Earlier, I was lucky to have a chance to catch up with previous Chair and AFI Board member, Chris Hackett. With his many years in the commercial fencing industry and a wealth of experience in security and the Fencing Industry in general, Chris shared his thoughts with me on how things are going. He believes that overall the organization is going from strength to strength, with the work that is being carried out to engage fencing professionals at grass roots level to enhance individual skills by holding Best Practice Days throughout the country. This has helped raise awareness of the AFI and increase membership take up, as has the bringing of FenceX , The Fencing Industry’s Premier Trade Show, under the direction of the AFI. The annual show was held in October this year with the aim of bringing together leading contractors, suppliers and specifiers from across the industry, and it was a great success, with plans to make it even ‘bigger, bolder and more interactive’ going forward.

That gives us an opportunity to remind ourselves what the AFI awards are about, the aim is to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of those involved in the world of fencing. I’m sure you’re all aware by now of the important work the organisation does to raise the profile of fencing professionals in all sectors of the industry, alongside promoting safety, quality and professionalism, by making sure members are kept up-to-date with technical information and other developments in the industry. Of course, the idea of bringing everyone together is the remit of the AFI Awards and also to recognise, both individual and company achievements, diversity, innovations and excellence in their area of expertise.

Prior to the awards being presented, we were treated to an amusing chat from someone who has previously been shrouded in mystery and whose identity was the cause of much speculation. Fans of Top Gear will be well aware of ‘The Stig’, who, these days has been revealed as Perry McCarthy, championship winning racing driver and best-selling author. Perry nowadays is in high demand as an inspirational and motivational speaker, telling entertaining tales of his efforts to break into the world of motor racing, funding his early career by working on oil rigs, overcoming many hurdles, including serious injuries and finally becoming a Grand Prix driver. You have to applaud his passion to succeed and his never give up attitude.

And now it was time for the real business of the evening. There were 12 awards this year, with an extra one for the Supplier of the Year Many congratulations to all the winners.

Industrial Contractor of the Year
Wyatt Fencing
Shortlisted: Boundary Fencing & Gate Services and CW Fencing

Sports and Education Contractor of the Year
Perimeter Solutions
Shortlisted: Lemon Fencing and Littlewood Group

Gates and Barriers Contractor of the Year
Gateway Automation
Shortlisted: Alpha Rail and Littlewood Group

Lifetime Achievement
Jon Hobden, MD of Littlewood Fencing and Topan Group
Shortlisted: Boundary Fencing and Littlewood Group

Agricultural and Equine Contractor of the Year
Rob Bell Fencing
Shortlisted: Davis Fencing and Tony Weir Contractor

Domestic Contractor of the Year
J A Bradley Services
Shortlisted: Knight Fencing and Lemon Fencing

Project of the Year
Norton’s Fencing
Shortlisted: ABC Fencing and Topan Group

Highways and Railways Contractor of the Year
Littlewoods Group
Shortlisted: Homegrown Timber and Newton & Frost Fencing

Security Contractor of the Year
Boundary Fencing & Gate Services
Shortlisted: Littlewood Group and Perimeter Solutions

Apprentice of the Year
Liam Horton, Knight Fencing
Shortlisted: Joshuah Blyth – EW Fencing and Tristan White – Littlewood Group

Temporary & Hoarding Contractor of the Year
UK Site Hoarding
Shortlisted: City Hoardings and Procter Brothers

Supplier of the Year
Hubbard & Son
Shortlisted: JB Corrie Fencing and Moorland Timber

Many thanks are due to all the members of the AFI Board, for all their hard work in organising a glittering and impressive awards ceremony, especially Victoria Walker and Pete Clark, who once again successfully brought everyone together to celebrate the Fencing Industry’s Finest. A special thank you too to the sponsors of the event, without their generosity this may not be possible, or so enjoyable.

For more information on the AFI or becoming a member go to www.afiorg.uk