The search is on for the region’s top joiner, as Northen Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) in collaboration with True North Construction and Hartlepool College, launch the Golden Hammer Awards.
Hosted by Hartlepool College on 30 May 2026, the awards will showcase excellence and reward achievement for those hugely talented joiners who demonstrate their skills every day of the week.
The event will comprise of a first and second fix joinery challenge, which will be revealed on the day. There will be one overall winner who will receive £5,000 with prizes presented to second and third place.
Headline sponsor of the awards is Jewson Builders Merchants, in association with British Lead.
Angela Carney, president of Northern Counties Builders Federation, said: “This is a call-to-action to those hugely talented joiners who demonstrate their skills every day of the week. Up until now they have not had a platform to showcase their work. We are going to change all that and put them well and truly in the spotlight.
“We want construction companies to put forward their best joiners. The winner will receive £5,000 thanks to our headline sponsor, Jewson Builders Merchants, in association with British Lead.
“Skilled trades are crucial in construction. They are essential for building and maintaining everything from residential homes to large-scale infrastructure but can often be forgotten. As a trade organisation we want to ensure that is not the case and that’s why the spotlight is on our joiners.”
Nicola Todd, regional sales and hire director at Jewson, said: “At Jewson, in association with British Lead, we are fully behind the Golden Hammer Awards because we recognise the importance of supporting and celebrating the skills that keep our industry moving forward. The North East continues to face a significant skills shortage, and events like this provide a vital platform to champion the craft, talent and dedication shown by joiners across the region. Alongside True North Construction, we are committed to helping make a real difference – shining a light on the skilled tradespeople who are the backbone of our sector and congratulating the true craftsmen whose work deserves recognition.”
David Roberts, director at True North Construction and committee member of the NCBF, said: “The awards are very much about recognition of the trades. We don’t think they get enough praise within the industry. Skilled tradespeople, like joiners, bring specialised knowledge to ensure projects are built to high standards. The construction industry relies heavily on these skills for growth and we want to celebrate their contribution.
“At True North Construction we have earned a strong reputation for delivering bespoke residential builds, high-end refurbishments and certified Passivhaus homes. Our reputation for quality, sustainability and attention to detail has helped drive expansion into new commercial sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, education and workplace fit-outs. We have invested heavily in our in-house joinery team whose skilled craftsmanship has helped us to deliver against this.”