Shoaib Awan, a London heating installer, won the Heating Installer of the Year category, sponsored by The IPG, at this year’s On The Tools Awards.
The 2024 On The Tools Awards took place on 21 November, with headline sponsor Jewson.
The judges said: “Shoaib’s contributions to addressing tool theft in the trade earned him special recognition.”
According to a statement, Shoaib, known as ‘The Gas Expert’, combines technical precision with artistic flair in his gas engineering work. As founder of Trades United, it noted that he advocates for better regulations for tradespeople and raises awareness of tool theft.
Each winner received a Barry Head trophy and £1,000 in prize money.
Lee Wilcox, co-founder and CEO of On The Tools, said: “This year marked a special milestone for us at On The Tools – celebrating 10 incredible years. What started as a small community has grown into a movement, one that champions and connects tradespeople all across the UK. I couldn’t be prouder of the journey we’ve been on, and the awards were a huge part of that celebration.
“For a decade, we’ve been shining a spotlight on the incredible work tradespeople do. They’re the backbone of this country, keeping homes warm, communities thriving, and projects moving forward. The awards honoured not only their skills, but their grit, determination, and unwavering spirit. It’s their stories that inspire us all, and as we reflect on 10 years of On The Tools, we’re more committed than ever to celebrating and supporting our industry.
“A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors and partners who helped make this event possible, and to all who joined us for such a special night. Here’s to another decade of championing the UK’s brilliant tradespeople.”