From Winner to Judge – Sam Featherstone Joins Judging Panel for 2023 eFIXX 30 Under 30 Awards
Posted by: electime 17th January 2023
The judging panel for eFIXX’s 30 under 30 awards, established in partnership with headline sponsor Luceco Group, are waiting in anticipation for an incredible line-up of applicants for this year’s awards. One of those judges knows all too well how it feels to be a nominee, having been in that position himself just last year.
Sam Featherstone, Director of Oval Renewables, is a proud winner of a 2022 30 under 30 award and is extremely honoured to have been promoted to the role of judge for the 2023 awards. Sam joins a panel of esteemed judges, comprising of twelve industry experts, who will crown the winners on eFIXX TV on the 31st March 2023.
When asked how it feels to go from a 30 under 30 winner to a judge, Sam stated: “I’m extremely humbled to be asked, I feel very honoured. This is completely out of my comfort zone and something that I would never have expected, but I am more than up for the challenge and want to make sure that I do a great job. I think it’s important that I have the perspective of being a winner myself and so I know the trials and tribulations that some of the applicants will face first hand.”
Sam discusses his journey and how it led him to the judging panel, “I started as an apprentice, having been unsure which route to take, but influenced by my dad and other family members with a trade background. As soon as I began my training, I knew I had made the right decision. I started working with a domestic electrical company, who moved on to solar installation. This is how I became interested in solar and renewables and how the technology of generating our own power worked. I originally started the company as Oval Electrical and worked out how to shift the balance from standard electrical work to Oval Renewables. It is still early days, but we have built our experience and I am pushing forward and aiming to expand.
“We have been involved with eFIXX from early on, and so I was very honoured to be nominated for the award, and absolutely thrilled when I won not just the 30 under 30 but when Oval won the renewables category award. Attending the event was an amazing experience, meeting lots of worthy winners and being given the opportunity to bring the younger generations together. eFIXX approached me and asked if I wanted to judge next year’s candidates from a standpoint of someone who has won.”
Sam offers advice for those looking to apply and what he is looking for in applicants, “The main thing that will set you apart from the other applicants is having passion and drive for the industry you are in. Showing that you have attention to detail, that you do things in the correct way, treat customers well, and have that spark about you that shows you love what you do. It is also amazing to see people who aren’t afraid to talk about what they do and putting that content out there. Social media plays a large part in the evidence we have as judges – that doesn’t necessarily mean having a huge following but ensuring that you put quality content out there that demonstrates your passion and work.”
“We are looking for people going forward with the right intentions who are open to talking to others in the industry and sharing advice, who have things that they want to achieve within the next 5-10 years, and who are putting out quality content and excellent work.
“Good luck to everyone entering themselves or nominating somebody else. I can’t wait to see the incredible applicants for 2023!”
The awards are free to enter, and you can nominate yourself or a colleague. Entrants must be under the age of 30 on 31st March 2023 and actively working within the electrical industry for at least one year to be eligible.
Nominations for the 2023 30 under 30 awards are now open. To nominate yourself or someone else, visit www.awards.efixx.co.uk/enter
