Sustainability in focus at SPRA awards

The single ply roofing sector has been celebrating success and looking to the future at the 4th annual Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) conference and awards dinner, at Eastwood Hall, Nottingham.

Under the title ‘sustaining single ply-challenges and champions’, the event comprised an exhibition area for the event’s sponsors, a social media workshop and networking opportunities in addition to a conference, AGM and awards ceremony.

With sustainability the main theme, the afternoon speaker’s programme was opened by SPRA CEO, Cathie Clarke, who talked about making opportunity out of adversity and being “part of the solution”. A keynote address from Claudine Blamey, head of Sustainability and Stewardship at The Crown Estate touched on modern-day challenges, from the scourge of plastic waste, to Donald Trump, stating that we should “make the future the cause of the present”. Presentations on topics such as specification and design, the circular economy, waste management, environmental policy, industry accreditation and mental health followed, with the SPRA member’s AGM concluding the afternoon’s proceedings.

During the AGM, Martyn Holloway, business development manager, SFS Group Fastening Technology, was appointed to the position of chair and Tony Ferri, operations director-Scotland, Briggs Amasco, was re-appointed to the position of vice-chair. Martyn takes over from Anthony Carlyle, MD of IKO Polymeric, who held the chair from June 2016 to June 2018.

The conference also provided the perfect opportunity to launch the newly revised SPRA Design Guide 2018 along with new Welding Guidance and updates on many other SPRA guidance and quality standard documents.

Commenting on the speakers, Carl Bailey, regional technical manager for Firestone Building Products said: “I was very impressed with the whole organisation and the diversity of voices on stage maintained engagement throughout.” Describing the days as an “excellent event”, Sebastian Chambers of CIL Management Consultants added: “I learnt a lot and made some new contacts. The focus on sustainability from the environment to mental health was inspiring.”

A lively awards presentation and dinner, hosted by Amanda Chadwick of the Croner Group, took place in the evening, bringing the conference to a close. As the first recipient of the inaugural SPRA Outstanding Achievement Award, Jim Hooker, who is departing from his role as technical director of SPRA after 27 years, received a standing ovation from the audience.

And the winners were…

Outstanding achievement award
Jim Hooker, technical director, SPRA.

Best safe working award: Winner 2018
SIG Design and Technology, working with Flat Roofing Membranes.
Lymington Shores, Hampshire.

Best safe working award: Highly commended 2018
IKO Polymeric working with NRA Roofing & Flooring.
Rock House SEN School.

Best detailing award: Winner 2018
IKO Polymeric working with DVC Roofing.
Goosecroft Lane, Northallerton.

Best detailing award: Highly commended 2018
Danosa UK working with County Flat Roofing.
Oat Errish Farm.

Best sustainability award: Winner 2018
Protan UK working with NRA Roofing & Flooring.
LEC offices.

Best sustainability award: Highly commended 2018
IKO Polymeric working with Delomac Roofing.
North Hertfordshire District Council, Letchworth Garden City.

Best innovation award: Winner 2018
Danosa UK working with County Flat Roofing.
Oat Errish Farm.

Best innovation award: Highly commended 2018
IKO Polymeric working with Marksman Roofing.
Hinkley Point C.

Best refurbishment award: Winner 2018
SIG D&T working with Roofworx UK.
Ogee Dome, former Bristol General Hospital.

Best refurbishment award: Highly commended 2018
IKO Polymeric working with Delomac Roofing.

Best new construction award: Winner 2018
Danosa UK working with Industrial Construction (Sussex).
Royal Russell School, Croydon.

Best new construction award: Highly commended 2018
SIG D&T working with Flat Roofing Membranes.
Lymington Shores, Hampshire.

Visit https://spra.co.uk/spra-awards-2018/ for more on the SPRA Awards.

Next year’s event will take place on Thursday, 13 June 2019, at Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire.

Established in 1988, SPRA is a trade association focused on the promotion of single ply roofing systems. Its membership is made up of roofing contractors, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers. SPRA promotes employment and training opportunities and the export of its members’ products and services. SPRA also provides help and guidance to all users and specifiers of single ply roofing systems in addition to co-operating with other trade bodies for the purpose of improving the UK roofing industry.