A construction firm has scooped two major awards at a leading industry event - dedicating one to a colleague who died suddenly last year.

Paddock Wood-based Baxall Construction carried off the Building Contractor of the Year for firms in England with a turnover in excess of £15million and Training Initiative of the Year at the national Construction Awards of Excellence.

The awards, recognising the best of the UK's construction industry, were presented at London's Chelsea Harbour Hotel, hosted by Channel 4 News' Cathy Newman.

In presenting the award for Training Initiative of the Year the judges noted “Baxall’s commitment to training is exemplary and multi-faceted” and praised the company for “punching well above its weight when it comes to training”.

Meanwhile for the Building Contractor of the Year award the judging panel was impressed that Baxall is “a regional firm with national aspirations… a company not just talking about diversity but delivering on it.”

Baxall’s managing director, Malcolm Clarke, said: “We are thrilled to win both these awards – especially in light of the recent challenges we have all faced within the industry. As an innovative SME we continually strive to set the highest standards in everything we do, from our clear focus on health and safety and net zero to our unwavering commitment to staff development.

“Winning Training Initiative of the Year is particularly special to us as Baxall’s director for training and development, Steve Turner, passed away suddenly at the end of 2021. Steve played a key role in developing Baxall’s outstanding training academy and we proudly dedicate this award to his memory.”