Press release -

Grand Winner of 2019 Dulux Select Decorators Awards announced as Des Cass

The Grand Winner of the 2019 Dulux Select Decorators Awards has been announced as Des Cass.

The Dulux Select Decorators Awards 2019 were held on Tuesday 26th November during the National Painting and Decorating Show, celebrating Select Decorators around the UK.

Des was revealed as the Grand Winner of the awards in recognition of his professional expertise and commitment to continuously exceeding customer expectations with the quality of his work, as well as his dedication to the trade and Select Decorator scheme.

Twelve category winners were also recognised at a new-look gala dinner following the first day of the two-day Painting and Decorating Show.

Decorators packed the venue for drinks, dinner and live entertainment, before Dulux Select Decorators Lead Vickie Mather, and judges Dulux Academy Skills Development Consultants Mark Rigby and Tony Pearson-Young, as well as Dulux Creative Director Marianne Shillingford, took to the stage to announce the winners.

The category winners were announced as:

  • Best Newcomer: Jason Whitehead
  • Adding Colour to People's Lives: Glen Wilds
  • Use of Dulux Colour of the Year: Carl Lesh
  • Interior Project under £2,500: Richard Reece
  • Interior Project over £2,500: Des Cass
  • Sprayed Finish: Aaron Davidson
  • Exterior Project: Steph Howles and Rose Morris
  • Restoration Project: Jake Neal
  • Wallpaper under £1,500: Steph Howles
  • Wallpaper over £1,500: Simon Medlin
  • Apprentice Mentor: Martin Connor (Highly Commended: Tony McCawley, Steph Howles and Rose Morris)
  • Scheme Supporter: Sean Kelly (Highly Commended: Georgie Baker, Peter Clark, Nick Dodge, Steph Howles and Rose Morris)

Overall champion Des, said: “After more than 40 years in the trade, it’s wonderful to be named as this year's grand winner. It was a complete surprise as all the Dulux Select Decorators are incredibly talented, to have my work recognised after decades of dedication and commitment to doing this job to the best of my abilities is the cherry on the cake after a great year for my business.

It’s fantastic to be part of this scheme and having a network of such great peers has been a game changer for me.”

Vickie Mather, Dulux Select Decorator Lead, said: “A huge congratulations to all our winners, they have gone above and beyond for their customers and the Dulux Select Decorators scheme in the last 12 months.

L-R:  Grand Winner, Des Cass, with Dulux Select Decorator Lead, Vickie Mather.

“I was honoured to award our Grand Winner Des, who has been a Dulux Select Decorator for many years. His professional skills combined with his eagerness to get involved with the scheme make him a brilliant ambassador for Dulux Select Decorators.

“We know that being a decorator can quite often be a lonely trade - and there is so much going on behind the scenes running a business that never even gets recognised. The Dulux Select Decorators scheme is all about bringing expert professionals together so that they can lean on each other and learn from one another.

“We decided this year to celebrate the Dulux Select Decorators with a new-look gala awards evening so we could really show our appreciation for all of our decorators, who continually prove that there is an exceptional amount of expertise in the decorating trade.

“It was fantastic to just take a moment to reflect on the hard work and dedication these people give the painting and decorating trade - as well as recognising those that go above and beyond in providing exceptional craftsmanship.

‘’It was also great to share the evening with our trusted suppliers, who’s generosity allowed us to raise over £1,000 for charity.”

Dulux Select Decorators undergo rigorous assessments to become members - they must have at least three years experience in the trade and have run their own business for a minimum of 12 months.

By becoming members they are entitled to use of Dulux branded assets, have access to subsidised rates on Dulux Academy courses and become part of a supportive community, with invites to social events and an exclusive forum with other Dulux Select Decorators. Members also receive monthly news updates, regular competitions and product discount vouchers.

For more information on Dulux Select Decorators, or to join the scheme, visit: www.duluxselectdecorators.co.uk

- ENDS -

Not for publication – for more information

Democracy PR

T: 0161 881 5941

E: sarahh@democracypr.com

Contact: Sarah Howarth

AkzoNobel Corporate Communications

T: 01753 550000

E: simon.colvan@akzonobel.com

Contact: Simon Colvan

Topics

  • Design

Categories

  • trade decorator
  • coventry
  • charity fundrasing
  • gala awards
  • painters and decorators
  • dulux colour of the year
  • national painting and decorating show
  • awards
  • dulux select decorators
  • akzonobel
  • ashington
  • dulux decorator centre
  • cuprinol
  • dulux academy
  • dulux trade
  • dulux retail

AkzoNobel has a passion for paint. We’re experts in the proud craft of making paints and coatings, setting the standard in colour and protection since 1792. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. Headquartered in the Netherlands, we are active in over 150 countries and employ around 35,000 talented people who are passionate about delivering the high-performance products and services our customers expect.

For more information about AkzoNobel, visit www.akzonobel.com

Contacts

Milly Hutchinson

Press contact Head of Communications, UK & Ireland +44 7825 948171

Simon Colvan

Press contact Communications Manager, UK +44 7753 617138

Democracy PR

Press contact Decorative Paint Brands +44 161 881 5941

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