News Item: The Hire Awards of Excellence 2026 Celebrates the Industry’s Best
The association would like to congratulate all the companies and individuals that won or were highly commended at the Hire Awards of Excellence 2026.
The event took place on Saturday 18th April at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, and was attended by 344 guests.
The evenings finalists were made up of 79 outstanding individuals, companies and products, across 17 award categories. From this outstanding group of finalists the judges recognised the high set of standards and personal achievements, awarding a record 26 High Commendations in recognition of their efforts.
HAE EHA Chair Phil Leahy spoke at the close of dinner, presenting three special awards. The first, was for Special Recognition, new for this year and presented with the help of HAE EHA CEO Paul Gaze, Viki Bell, CEO of the Construction Equipment Association, and Paul Mabey, Association Board Member and Major Account Manager at JCB. The prize, a unique case containing a silver excavator, was handed to Andrew Huddleston KPM, former Superintendent and Head of the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team. Presented in recognition of Andrew’s dedication to fighting tool and equipment theft.
This year’s Outstanding Contribution to Hire Award was presented to Michel Petitjean, founder and former Secretary General of the European Rental Association, for his efforts with ERA, his extensive expertise from a long, varied and successful career in construction.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence, only in its second year, was presented to John Nixon of Nixon Hire. John opened his business in 1967 and continued its development over the years embracing new technologies, becoming a market leader in portable buildings, welfare facilities, renewable power, and more. John was unable to be present however a video was made and shared with the room, covering his career and showing his appreciation for being recognised in this way. The trophy was collected on his behalf by Nixon Hire Chair, Gerard Murray.
Phil went on mention the event sponsors: “Thank you for your continued support. Without you, ticket sales alone wouldn’t be enough to run this leading industry event, so you are integral to tonight.”
HAE EHA CEO Paul Gaze added, “The Hire Awards of Excellence 2026 was a fantastic celebration of the excellence within the hire and rental sector. We had some inspiring finalists across the business and various product and service categories. In addition, the unprecedented three Special Achievement Awards, combined with the outstanding individual award finalists and winners, made it a night to remember.”
In addition to all award category sponsors HAE EHA would like to thank:
Hire Awards of Excellence Main Sponsor, Sunbelt Rentals
Welcome Reception Sponsor, Cleveland Group
Stage Sponsor, JCB
For providing tables, seating and bars for the reception areas, Allens Catering Equipment and Furniture Hire
For providing staging, lighting, filming and AV services, LUX Technical
The winners of the 2026 Hire Awards of Excellence are:
1. Best Use of Digital Media – Sam Hire
Sponsored by Fantastic Media
2. Diversity & Inclusion Initiative – Speedy Hire
Sponsored by Stallard Kane
3. Sustainability & CSR Initiative – Sunbelt Rentals
Sponsored by Instagrid UK
4. Hire Industry Product of the Year – JCB INTELLISENSE SYSTEM, JCB
Sponsored by Executive Hire Show
5. Hire Industry Supplier of the Year – Niftylift
Sponsored by PSM Plant & Tool Hire Centres
6. SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year Turnover under £10m – Celsius Hire
Sponsored by Snorkel
7. SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year Turnover over £10m – Sunbelt Rentals
Sponsored by HAE Insurance Services
8. SafeHire Event Hire Company of the Year Turnover under £3m – LUX Technical
Sponsored by EHA Insurance Services
9. SafeHire Event Hire Company of the Year Turnover over £3m – Sunbelt Rentals
Sponsored by EHA Insurance Services
10. Health & Safety Team Champions of the Year – SHEQ Team, Sunbelt Rentals
Sponsored by PASMA
11. Health & Safety Champion of the Year – Alex Milne, The Hireman
Sponsored by PASMA
12. Operations Manager of the Year – Adam Bradley, Speedy Hire
Sponsored by Hire Certification Services
13. Young Apprentice of the Year – Lucy Jolley, Speedy Hire
Sponsored by Hire HQ
14. Apprentice of the Year – Blagoy Manzurov, Sunbelt Rentals
Sponsored by Hire HQ
15. Workshop Manager of the Year – Andrew Smith, Speedy Hire
Sponsored by Makita UK
16. Hire Manager of the Year – Demi Fautley-Clark, ME Hire UK
Sponsored by HireTrain
17. Hire Achiever of the Year – Andrew Smith, Speedy Hire
Sponsored by Point of Rental Software