Apprentices star at inaugural Yorkshire awards event

As a family-owned company founded and led by former apprentices, it is fitting that Hudson was headline sponsor for the very first East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, hosted at MKM Stadium, Hull.

Established in 1996, Hudson is a leading provider of business services to the construction industry with a client base of 2,600 SMEs. However, we have not forgotten our roots: founder and chairman David Jackson started his career as an apprentice draughtsman while managing director Ian Anfield served as a civil engineering apprentice.

Organised by The Yorkshire Post, the glittering awards ceremony at MKM Stadium in Hull celebrated the region’s most promising and committed apprentices as well as the trainers and employers that support them.

Watch our event video

Justine Greening, a former secretary of state for education and founder of social impact consultancy This is Purpose, was headline speaker and Hudson’s guest. She told the audience: “I really think that people have huge potential and one of the most important things we can focus on right now as a country is making sure that wherever they are, people are able to connect up to opportunities. Tonight is about celebrating that.”

Ms Greening praised Bridlington-based Hudson for supporting the event and playing an active role in its local community by sponsoring apprentices to help them learn valuable trade skills and get a good start in life.

As well as being headline sponsor, Hudson sponsored the individual categories for Construction Apprentice and SME Employer of the Year. Erin Symons of Hull-based Beal Homes won the apprentice award for what judges described as her “exceptional qualities, outstanding performance and remarkable journey”.

Hudson’s other guests included Charlie Dewhirst, MP for Bridlington and the Wolds, Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, and Trish Dalby, on behalf of the Lieutenancy of the East Riding of Yorkshire.

David Jackson, chairman of Hudson Contract, said: “We were delighted to support the inaugural East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards as the headline sponsor. It was wonderful to recognise and celebrate the incredible efforts and achievements of young people embarking on their careers.”

The judging panel included Fiona Gamwell, communications officer at Hudson and a member of the government-backed Yorkshire and Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

Supporting the sector that supports us

Elsewhere, Hudson proudly backed CONSTRUCT Day and Awards 2024, the annual get-together and celebration of the concrete structures sector held at the Brewery in the City of London.

Founded more than three decades ago, CONSTRUCT is an industry group whose membership is open to all those who have an interest in promoting excellence in concrete.

Hudson sponsored the Project of the Year Over £5m Award, which was won by Morrisroe for its transformational redevelopment of the Elephant and Castle town centre in the capital.

UK Construction Week

We showcased our fast-growing 4Site app at UK Construction Week at Birmingham NEC, the nation’s largest event for the built environment.

More than 20,000 people attended the exhibition over the three days, a good number of whom visited the Hudson stand to meet our friendly team and find out how our new digital platform could revolutionise their on-site labour management.

Feedback on 4Site, which launched earlier this year, was extremely positive.

Have you seen Hudson's new website?

Readers might have noticed something different about this website. Yes, that’s right, it’s had a complete overhaul. We wanted to make it even more user-friendly, whether you’re a client, an operative or a stakeholder in the wider construction industry.

The website showcases Hudson’s market-leading services, promotes industry news and views and shines a light on the community work of the Hudson Foundation. Above all, we hope it provides an even clearer expression of our company and what we stand for. We hope you like it and please share any feedback you might have.