FMB Winners Drive Away in £42,000 Isuzu Truck After Being Crowned Master Builder of the Year 2025
Posted by: electime 30th October 2025
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has celebrated the handover of a £42,000 Isuzu D-Max DL40 truck to R & M Williams Limited, the Neath-based firm crowned Overall Master Builder of the Year 2025 at last month’s ceremony.
Often dubbed the “Oscars of the building industry,” the FMB’s National Master Builder Awards were held at Manchester’s Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on 26 September, marking the culmination of a year of hotly contested regional finals that showcased the UK’s very best small and medium-sized builders, at a time when there is increasing pressure on the sector to reach ambitious Government targets.
R&M Williams earned the top national FMB accolade for its £10m restoration of Swansea’s historic Palace Theatre, a derelict Grade II-listed building brought back to life as a modern workspace and cultural hub. The handover was led by Isuzu – the headline sponsor of the 2025 awards – with R&M Williams receiving the Isuzu D-Max DL40, finished in Obsidian Grey and fitted with site-ready accessories – including an over-rail liner, towbar, and bespoke ‘Master Builder of the Year’ decals.
The winning project, delivered as part of Swansea’s £1bn city centre regeneration programme, was praised by judges as “a spectacular achievement that turned two decades of decay into something truly beautiful” – combining heritage conservation, modern engineering, and community benefit.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “We’re delighted to have Isuzu UK as our headline sponsor for a fourth consecutive year. Our continued partnership helps us celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of small builders across the country. The Isuzu D-Max is the perfect prize for a Master Builder. Robust, dependable, and built to handle any challenge, just like our award winners.”
George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, added: “The Master Builder Awards recognise the very best in the business, builders who don’t just lay foundations but build communities. We’re thrilled to hand over a brand-new Isuzu D-Max to R & M Williams for their outstanding work on Swansea’s Palace Theatre. Like the D-Max, this project proves that with the right tools and determination, you can truly raise the roof!”
2025 marks the fourth consecutive year that Isuzu UK has served as headline sponsor of the FMB Master Builder Awards, highlighting the shared values of craftsmanship, reliability, and commitment to excellence that unite both organisations.
The awards remain the UK’s leading celebration of SME builders who deliver exceptional quality, innovation, and social value in every project.
