Essex Electrician Ricky Howell named UK Electrician of the year at the 2022 On The Tools Awards

  Posted by: electime      25th November 2022

Ricky Howell, an Essex Electrician from WFP Fire, Security & Electrical, was announced as UK Electrician of the Year, sponsored by Ring, at the 2022 On The Tools Awards. He also secured the title of ‘Tradesperson of the Year’ at the awards ceremony, sponsored by Toolstation, held at Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, on Friday 18th November.

Ricky has dedicated every fibre of his being to ensure that the company he works for, WFP, thrives. He has shown dedication since day one, turning up for his interview with a full business plan. He gets involved in the promotion of the company and can only ever be seen giving 100% to his work. Ricky has also been working hard to train up a new generation of tradespeople and work towards filling the skills gap in construction, through mentoring engineers who want to train as electricians.

Ricky said: “It’s amazing to be recognised for my hard work. It feels incredible, it has reignited my passion of being a tradesman, something that is so easy to forget once you step into the life of running a company or in my case a division.

I’d love to thank my wife Julie for supporting me when working long hours and coming home stressed and listening to my rants, also to my kids for the countless hugs just when I need that pick me up. Verity for all the support at work, in particular in the frustrating times over the last six months when it all seems a bit impossible but we have to power through. WFP for giving me the opportunity to lead the division and let me really make it my own.

Finally a massive thanks to those who have really supported me through my career, in particular Mark Allison, Neil Bridgeman and Sam McDouall, without their support and the journey we have been on over the last few years I would not be in the position I am today.”

CEO of On The Tools, Lee Wilcox said, “We need more people like Ricky in the industry. Not only does he do an excellent job day in, day out, but he always goes the extra mile too. Taking time to mentor a new generation of tradespeople is absolutely crucial right now, as we work to reduce a growing skills gap. Ricky’s dedication to the trade makes him a worthy winner of this award, and of being chosen as Tradesperson of the Year by our panel of judges.

“Celebrating and championing UK tradespeople is what On The Tools stands for. The industry, and the people behind it have had a challenging couple of years following the pandemic and turbulence that has continued to grip the country. The mental health impact for tradespeople and resilience demonstrated was evident in this year’s award winners stories. The awards are so important as they allow us to give recognition to the incredible people and businesses who contribute towards the success of UK construction.”

The event was presented by Irish comedian Keith Farnan, with 400 guests in attendance at a gala dinner, including builders, tradespeople and leading construction brands. Dave Ward, Managing Director, EU & International, of Ring presented the Electrician of the Year award to Ricky on the evening.

18 awards were given out during the night, ranging from Apprentice of the Year, to a Special Recognition, and Plasterer of the year award for Naima Ben-Moussa, a plasterer dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse by repairing damage to homes through her charity Rebuilding Lives.

Designed to recognise both individuals and leading brands the awards were judged by a panel of industry judges and an online public vote.

This year’s judges included: Mark Millar, Carpenter, Broadcaster and Kitchen Kit ambassador, Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, Hattie Hasan MBE, founder of Stopcocks Ltd and the Register of Tradeswomen, Mike Tattam, Merchant Development Manager at the Builder’s Merchant’s Federation, Greg Richardson, Head of Marketing at headline sponsor Toolstation, Stuart Flinter, Approved Installer Development Manager at Brett Landscaping, Todd Scanlon, former Apprentice of the year winner and Scaffolder at Coles Scaffolding, Martin Coles, Owner of Coles Scaffolding,Vickie Mather, Dulux Academy Lead,  Callum Tasker, Commercial Director of CMO Group Ltd, the parent company of Roofing Superstore, Chris and Tom Hutchinson, Bricklayers and founders of Bricklayers Ltd, Andy Wilcox, Electrician and Creative Consultant for On The Tools, Adam Barrie, Chief Content Officer and Founder of On The Tools and Lee Willcox, founder and CEO of On The Tools.

The headline sponsor for the On The Tools Awards 2022 was Britain’s fastest growing supplier of tools, accessories and building supplies, Toolstation. Category sponsors for the event were: Armstead, Brett Landscaping, Toolbox by Admiral, GT85 by WD40, CT1, Jewson, Jewson Civils, Kitchen Kit, Ring, Roofing Superstore, and Speedy. Goody bag sponsor for 2022 was Ox Tools.

View all of the winners from the evening here: https://www.onthetools.tv/meet-the-winners-of-the-2022-on-the-tools-awards/