Aico, a manufacturer of residential fire and carbon monoxide detection products, has announced the official shortlist for the Community Awards 2026, celebrating the outstanding achievements, innovation, and dedication demonstrated across the social housing and fire safety sectors.
This year saw a large volume of entries, with judges commenting on both the quality and breadth of submissions received. The standard of entries reportedly made the shortlisting process particularly challenging.
The judging panel for the 2026 Awards includes:
• Alexa Scrivener, Transformation Lead, Stirling
• Georgina Homer, Fire Safety Advisor, Wolverhampton Homes
• Dr Matt Home, CEO, Willowdene
• Neal Hooper, Managing Director, Aico
• Yetunde Dania, Partner and Head of Office, Trowers & Hamlins
Below are the shortlisted organisations for each category:
Apprentice of the Year
Following the close of entries for this category in January, the shortlisted candidates were invited to attend an assessment day at JTL. After completing both written and practical examinations, the finalists selected for this category are:
• Emily-Jane Simmons from Focus Training Group – Bristol
• Jack Brammer from JTL Rotherham
• Oliver Astrand from North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT)
• Jessica Johnson from Abingdon and Witney College
• Jack Daily from West College Scotland
• Chris Parnell from JTL Training – Norwich
Best Distributer Community Initiative
This award is dedicated to distributors who have gone the extra mile and have been committed to supporting the wider communities they serve. The shortlists for this category are:
• Medlocks Thatcham
• Edmundson Electrical Irvine
• City Electrical Factors NW London
• YESSS Electrical Trafford Park
• Service Electrical Distributors Ltd
• LEW Electrical Distributors
Collaborative Partnership
This award category highlights the organisations that have shown examples of strong partnerships across the industry and local communities. The shortlists for this category are:
• Birmingham City Council
• Fortem
• Insite Specialist Services
• Glasgow City Region
• Equans
• Bromford Flagship
College Initiative of the Year
This award celebrates the best and most innovative initiatives among the UK further education and sixth form colleges to promote the best practices and support student development. The shortlists for this category are:
• Hull College
• University College Birmingham
• Yeovil College
• South Eastern Regional College
• Arena Training Centre
• Cheshire College South and West
Corporate Social Responsibility
This award recognises suppliers in the social housing industry or social housing providers who have gone the extra mile and have shown commitment to supporting the wider communities they serve. The shortlists for this category are:
• Ongo
• Falkirk Council
• Equans UK & Ireland
• Leeds City Council
• Smith & Byford
• Torus Foundation
Electrical Contractor of the Year
This category recognises an electrical contractor who has completed the Expert Installer Training and engaged with Aico’s Installer Community, has provided exceptional support, and has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, innovation, or service contribution to a project or contract. The shortlists for this category are:
• Clarkson Evans
• Hewer Facilities Management Ltd
• Magnus Electrical Services
• AB Building and Electrical Ltd
• McIntyre Compliance Services
• Barlows Uk Ltd
Inspirational Colleague of the Year
This award recognises an individual who goes above and beyond to deliver a high quality of work that exceeds the call of duty. This could be someone who has put innovation or creativity at the heart of what they do, or someone who has shown unstoppable determination. The shortlists for this category are:
• Olivia Greenhalgh from First Choice Homes
• Peter Taylor from Loreburn Housing Association
• Graham Hart from South Essex Homes
• Kieran Docherty from Midlothian Council DLO
• Mitchell Rose from Alphatrack Systems
• Steve Messenger from Booker & Best
Lifetime Achievement Award
The chosen winner will have lived and breathed social housing or fire safety throughout their career. They will have driven change both in the organisation in which they have worked and in their sector. The shortlists for this category are:
• Ross Webb from Sureserve
• Joe Cryans from City of York Council
• Adam Watts from EFT Systems
• Mark Churcher from VIVID
• June Anderson from Monument Contract & Maintenance Ltd
• Keith Smith from The Ferry Project
Neighbourhood Transformation
This award recognises a social housing provider that has completed or has an ongoing project to transform and regenerate their local community to make their area a better place to live. The shortlists for this category are:
• ZED PODS LTD
• Rykneld Homes
• WPS/Wates
• Perth & Kinross Council
• Central Bedfordshire Council
• Amplius
People’s Choice Award
This brand-new category recognises excellence and celebrates work that truly connects with the audience, which will be voted live on the night. The shortlists for this category are:
• Barrhead Housing
• Dacorum
• Poplar HARCA
• Wolverhampton Homes
Resident Engagement
This award recognises the best engagement with residents in the housing sector and puts communication and residents’ views at the forefront of their decision-making. The shortlists for this category are:
• Housing 21
• ClwydAlyn Housing
• Riverside Scotland
• Magenta Living
• Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service
• Selwood Housing
Rising Star
The chosen winner will be a special newcomer or junior team member who is making a difference in their organisation, bringing improvements and working towards positive change in the industry. The shortlists for this category are:
• Alfie Squirell from Wiggett Group
• Amy Williams from Alpha Housing
• Lynsey Stead from North Yorkshire Council
• Joe Henshaw from Platform Housing Group
• George Temple from Vico Homes
• Mel Bennett from Cambridge Housing Society
Sustainability Project of the Year
This category rewards organisations and collaborators who are working on or implementing sustainable solutions for a greener future in social housing. The shortlists for this category are:
• Nottingham City Council Housing Services
• West Dunbartonshire Council
• River Clyde Homes
• H&A Group
• RE:GEN Group
• CG Fry
Women in Fire Safety
This category is all about celebrating the contribution of women to the fire industry in the UK. The winner will be a woman working within the fire industry who has gone above and beyond in her role to make a difference over the last 12 months. The shortlists for this category are:
• Liz Sharples from Progress Housing
• Laura Dougan from St Leger Homes
• Kirsty Stott from Kingdom Housing Association
• Michelle Alexis from L&Q
• Martina Lydon from WHG
• Emma Meredith from North Wales Housing
Getting involved
Congratulations to all shortlisted organisations and individuals. Aico comments that it would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an entry for this year’s awards.
The winners will be announced at the Community Awards evening on 16 April 2026.
To book a seat at the awards ceremony, you can contact events@aico.co.uk by 20 March 2026.
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