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16 Issue 3 2020 HIRE AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE 2020 W inners of the Hire Awards of Excellence were announced at a virtual awards ceremony, live streamed to more than 50 companies from within the hire industry for plant, tool, equipment and events sectors on September 16th. Outgoing HAE EHA CEO Graham Arundell received the Outstanding Contribution to Hire award. As he made the announcement, Association Chairman Brian Sherlock said: “Since January 2007, Graham Arundell, as CEO of the association, has increased member numbers, restructured the organisation to meet the challenges faced - whether that was the financial crash of 2008, driving more commerciality within the association or giving us a voice within Government and the market. I would like to thank him on behalf of the board and members of HAE EHA for his dedication and drive which has seen the organisation change fundamentally since he has been in position.” Successful companies on the day included Sunbelt Rentals, which collected the awards for Website of the Year and SafeHire Event Hire Company of the Year; AFI Uplift whose staff members received individual accolades for both Young Apprentice of the Year and Workshop Manager of the Year; and Cardiff- based independent Miles Hire which was awarded the SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year Turnover Up To £10 million. Travis Perkins was also a multi- winner on the day, receiving the awards for Best Use of New Media and SafeHire Plant, Tool & Equipment Hire Company of the Year Turnover Over £10 million. Tool Hire Managing Director at Travis Perkins, Catherine Gibson, said: “It’s a huge honour to have received two acclaimed awards in such highly contested HAE categories. It is truly great to be recognised as the benchmark and gold standard. Our safety initiative, based on the key insight and root cause of safety incidents, was implemented by a knowledgeable team who worked tirelessly to ensure Travis Perkins set the right example. “The same desire to push boundaries also applies to how we utilise new media channels, being able to showcase the breadth of equipment available via a highly engaging digital video. We are delighted to be receiving these two accolades and well done to the Travis Perkins teams across tool hire operations, marketing, safety and group technology services.” On the individual award front, Rob Thompson, General Manager of GoHire, received this year’s Hire Manager of the Year and Hire Achiever of the Year awards, and was clearly thrilled to have his accomplishments acknowledged, saying: “Winning both Hire Manager of the Year and the overall Hire Achiever of the Year awards is a huge honour. I was watching the live stream with family and work colleagues, when both awards were announced everybody was ecstatic. I have already received numerous congratulations from clients and staff.” Winners Announced at virtual awards ceremony.