Last Year

UK Plant Operator of the Year: Championing the Industry.

We reflect with pride on the 2025 UK Plant Operator of the Year competition, which took place on Saturday Sept 6th delivering a real festival of construction.

The campaign however is so much more than an Operator Challenge, so much more than a finals day. It’s a yearlong campaign carried by UK Plant Operators Magazine the home of UK Plant Operator of the Year.

Our partners at the CITB National Construction College have, for the third successive year, worked tirelessly to stage the event and in doing so they demonstrated three key fundamentals:

1. A fascinating insight into Bircham Newton, one of the very best skills and training facilities in the UK.
2. The choice of courses and apprenticeships on offer, all of which match the needs of individuals and the industry.
3. The college is in a ‘real life’ setting, the perfect mix of the most modern construction equipment, fitted with the latest technology from the world’s leading manufacturers.

The 2025 campaign resulted in a record number of 164 applications to enter the competition, a record prize pot of £20,000 and a record 2,000 attendance.

We are proud to recognise the outstanding talent, the level of skill, precision, and professionalism on display was truly remarkable.

Congratulations to the winners, below.

• Tipping Point: Sponsored by Thwaites Ltd – Kieron Gligorijevic QR to new Video
• Trench Box Transfer Sponsored by Steelwrist – James Covell
• The Straight and Narrow Sponsored by Takeuchi UK – James Penman QR to new Video
• Skip Tip Sponsored by L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage – Andrew Walker
• Reverse Engineering Sponsored by Flannery Plant Hire – Lewis Jarman
• Make the Grade Sponsored by XCMG UK – Owen Mitchell
• Lock n Load Sponsored by Collins Earthworks Limited – Bryan Williamson
• Grapple Grab Sponsored by MB Crusher – Lewis Cameron QR to New Video
• Backhoe Precision Showdown Sponsored by JCB – Tom Balls
• The Big Push Sponsored by Flannery Plant Hire – Ollie Old

What a finale! As we saw the introduction of an exciting new feature, the ‘Three Lane Thriller’ kindly sponsored by Flannery Plant Hire

Designed as the ultimate test of skill and precision, it was the perfect conclusion to the UK Plant Operator of the Year for 2025.

The top three operators identified from their aggregated scores from the day were:

• James Covell Director of Kings Lynn Construction,
• Liam Lambert Director of Liam Lambert Construction
• Lewis Jarman of Plant Operator at Breheny Civil Engineering

All of whom went head-to-head across three challenging stages:

• Trench Digging
• Dumper Manoeuvring
• Mini Digger Control

With a mix of both speed and accuracy the Three Lane Thriller kept the crowd on edge until the very last moment.

Many congratulations to Liam Lambert, who rose to the challenge to claim the title and become champion plant operator for 2025.

A huge well done to James and Lewis for their outstanding performances.

An unforgettable day at CITB National Construction College. UK Plant Operator of the Year will return on Sept 5^th 2026.