Celebration for Apprentice of the Year 2025

05 August 2025

Purdy is thrilled to congratulate this year’s winners and runners-up of the Apprentice of the Year competition. As proud sponsors of the Painting and Decorating Association’s competition over the last 10 years, we believe it is essential to promote the high level of craft and skill new apprentices are bringing into the industry. 

The Apprentice of the Year competition provides an opportunity for apprentices and trainees at various skill levels to showcase their capabilities, competing against peers from across the UK. Competitors are given six hours, a 1.2m x 2.4m panel, and the challenge of replicating a decorative design created by the judges. The competition aims to draw upon the workplace skills that apprentices have developed, such as task planning, accurate measuring, cutting-in, effective brushwork, and competent paint application. However, the competition also values the use of soft skills, including effective communication and time planning. Overall, competitors are examined on their professional skills and ability to work under pressure, helping them to prepare for industry work

Featuring five regional heats and one Grand Final, awards were presented to the Junior Winner, Senior winner and four runners-up, who were all invited to the prestigious PDA Trophy Awards at Plasters hall in London to receive their awards and accolades on stage. The event was attended by over 300 people from the Decorative industry.

Let’s meet them.

Senior Winner:

Owen Sheldon

Company: Bagnalls

College: Leeds College of Building

Senior Runner-Up:

Olivia Williams 

Company: Chesman Decorators Ltd

College: Doncaster College, DN College Group 

Senior Third Place

Lillie Saunders

Company: GRWP Llandrillo Menai

College: Coleg Llandrillo (Rhos on Sea)

Junior Winner:

Joe Deas 

Company: Bagnalls

College: Newcastle College

Junior Runner-up:

Faith Loynes

Company: Bagnalls

College: Leeds College of Building

Junior Third Place:

Nathan Alexander

Company: Robert Wilson & Son, Painting Contractors Ltd

College: South Lanarkshire College

We are keen to watch the bright futures of all those involved, and we wish them all the best in their career. Entries for the 2026 Apprentice of the Year Competition open soon, so keep your eyes peeled if you would like to enter. 

For more information on Purdy’s partnerships, visit our website.