The autumn 2025 RIDBA Journal is here! What’s inside?

Industry updates

• Pages 4-9: A record-breaking year for the RIDBA Building Awards – see the full shortlist, meet the judges, and find out who will be hosting the awards ceremony this September;
• News on the government’s steel strategy and the latest industry safety statistics.

Technical and safety insights

• Page 10: RIDBA’s technical consultant, Dr Martin Heywood, explains the BCSA’s new technical specification for boundry elevations;
• Pages 12-13: Health & safety consultant Nick Redpath unpacks the implications of the UK’s Building Safety Act 2022 for our sector.

Livestock and sustainability

• Pages 20-21: Livestock consultant Jamie Robertson explores the future of the UK poultry sector and the challenges of balancing sustainability with planning restrictions.

Member news

• Pages 14-17: From Kingsbarns Golf Links to a new steel-framed industrial building in East Sussex, members share their latest projects;
• Page 19: Meet RIDBA’s newest members in our brand-new Member Corner feature.

Member directory

• Find RIDBA members on pages 22-25. If you want your business to feature in this section you can apply to join RIDBA here.

Steeling the Limelight

• Mark Wilcox of Filon takes the hot seat in this edition’s Steeling the Limelight.

Read the autumn 2025 RIDBA Journal now

The RIDBA Building Awards 2025 will take place on Friday, September 19 at the Concorde Conference Centre, in Manchester, celebrating the very best in rural and industrial building design and construction.

We would like to thank all of this year’s sponsors for their support:

Premium Sponsors

• Kingspan Insulated Panels

• Steadmans

• Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections

Event Sponsor

• Ficep UK Ltd

RIDBA would also like to thank Citation for their support and media partner Farming Monthly.

Some of our sponsors have shared their thoughts ahead of the event:

Kingspan Insulated Panels

“The RIDBA Building Awards is a great opportunity to celebrate the work and innovation we see across our sector and we’re delighted to be sponsoring the event again,” said Helen Taylor, regional manager.

Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections

“As a family-run business with long-standing ties to the agricultural and industrial sector, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections are proud to sponsor the RIDBA Awards. We firmly believe that this fabulous event provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the outstanding achievements of RIDBA members who are at the forefront of driving innovation throughout our industry,” said Samuel Hornsey, CEO.

Ficep UK Ltd

“We’re keen to sponsor the RIDBA Building Awards as they shine a light on the outstanding achievements that define the UK’s agricultural and industrial building sectors. By supporting this event, we continue to champion progress in the industry and reinforce our commitment to driving productivity, precision, and quality across the sector through advanced steel-processing technology,” said Chris Berriman, sales director.

Steadmans

“The RIDBA Building Awards are a highlight of the industry calendar. They not only celebrate technical excellence but also the dedication of the people behind the projects, something we at Steadmans are proud to support,” said Darren Hall, managing director.

Tickets for the RIDBA Building Awards 2025 are available now. Click here to book your place.

RIDBA Building Awards 2025 shortlists

RIDBA is delighted to share the shortlists for the RIDBA Building Awards 2025.

The awards celebrate the best projects and products across the agricultural, industrial and commercial building sectors and RIDBA members did not disappoint with their entries.

A record 51 entries were submitted by 24 members across six categories with a judging panel of five tasked with picking out the best.

The panel (RIDBA consultants Martin Heywood, Nick Redpath and Jamie Robertson, Build UK’s Debbie Iley and honorary RIDBA member Geoff Simpson) spent several days deliberating over the entrants and scoring them.

Lead judge Martin said: “The standard of the entries this year has exceeded what we’ve seen for previous awards.

“My fellow judges and I always enjoy seeing the unique innovations and different approaches RIDBA members come up with, as well as the sheer hard work and pride they apply to every job.

“It’s been a real pleasure to see and judge all of the entries.”

The winners will be announced at an awards evening hosted by comedian Lucy Porter at the Concorde Conference Centre, in Manchester, on September 19.

RIDBA chairman Simon Pelly said: “Thank you to every member who took the time to enter the awards.

“It’s great to see the enthusiasm for the event among the membership and that’s been confirmed by the record number of entries we received this time around, as well as the fact we’ve got more first-time entrants than ever before.

“Congratulations to those members who have made the shortlists. The rest of the board and I look forward to celebrating with you all at the awards ceremony later this year!”

The shortlisted entries are:

Commercial category

• Avant 400, A.C. Bacon Engineering
• Aylsham Garden Centre, A.C. Bacon Engineering
• Briarwood Trade Counter, Curtis Engineering
• Barnsgrove, Jaques Int.
• Brocksbushes Farm Shop, S&A Fabrications
• Pentre Awel, Shufflebottom
• Tapstone, Tek Clad
• Goodwin & Tucker, Timmins Engineering
• Grimsby Town FC, Timmins Engineering
• Health Innovation Dudley, Traditional Structures

Farm storage

• Grange Farm, A.C. Bacon Engineering
• Woburn Farm Partnership, A.C. Bacon Engineering
• Audley End, AT Bone & Sons
• Northwold Farm, Colley Farm Buildings
• E. B. Gwatkin & Son, Jaques Int.
• Home Farm, JOHNSTRUCT
• Muck store, SA Mogg
• West Midlands Safari Park, SA Mogg
• Glenworth Scottish Farms, Timmins Engineering
• Pemberton Dairies, Wareing Buildings

Industrial and production

• Hitchcocks Business Park, C&R Construction SW
• Hornsey Steel Panels & Sections, Jaques Int.
• Breckland Group, MD Anthony
• Mezel Hill Barns, Nick Kenward Construction
• K14660 Shortland TJ Waste, Shufflebottom
• Edward Vinson, Timmins Engineering
• Pyramid Plastics, Timmins Engineering
• Walsall Waste, Traditional Structures
• Henco, Wareing Buildings
• Whitfire Shavings, Wareing Buildings

Livestock

• Seckington Dairies, C&R Construction SW
• Coton End Farm, D J Pink Construction
• Borderway Mart, Robinsons Group
• Kynren Aviary, S&A Fabrications
• Andrew Buckley, Timmins Engineering
• Andrew Knapton, Timmins Engineering

Residential and offices

• Wold Farm Garage, Colley Farm Buildings
• Stoney Ridge Farm, Tek Clad
• Cobblecrete, Timmins Engineering
• Ha’Penny Hatch, Traditional Structures
• YSB 3960 McDonald, Yorkshire Steel Buildings

New product or service

• AshGrid+, Ash & Lacy
• Ficep Gemini LS, Ficep UK
• Concave and Convex Crimp Curving Solutions, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections
• Gemello® Revive, Steadmans Roofing & Cladding

RIDBA would like to thank Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections, Kingspan, Steadmans, Ficep UK, Citation and Farming Monthly for their support of the RIDBA Building Awards 2025.

If your business is interested in a sponsorship package, please email [email protected].

Book your tickets to be at the RIDBA Building Awards 2025.

Comedian Lucy Porter will host the RIDBA Building Awards 2025 this September.

A regular on BBC Radio 4 panel and comedy shows, Lucy has regularly appeared on Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week.

An enthusiastic quizzer, Lucy has also been on The Chase, Pointless, 15 to 1, The Weakest Link and Celebrity Mastermind, where she set a record-breaking score,

A veteran of the UK comedy scene, Lucy has written and performed 13 solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival and regularly appears at comedy festivals including Kilkenny, Manchester, Glasgow, Latitude and others.

Time Out has described her as ‘one of the most talented comics on the circuit.’

Away from comedy, Lucy has starred alongside Christian Slater in the stage version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Lucy will host the awards at the Concorde Conference Centre, in Manchester, on September 19.

RIDBA chairman Simon Pelly, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Lucy to the awards later this year. “It’s always great to be able to celebrate the best our industry has to offer and we look forward to hearing Lucy’s takes on what is sure to be a fantastic event.”

Book your awards tickets by clicking here.

Tickets are being snapped up and sponsors are pledging support for the highly anticipated RIDBA Building Awards 2025.

Set to take place this September at the Concorde Conference Centre in Manchester, the biennial event is a highlight in the agricultural and industrial buildings calendar. Hundreds of RIDBA members and industry professionals are expected to attend and celebrate outstanding achievements across the sector.

The awards will recognise excellence across five core building categories:

• Commercial

• Farm storage

• Industrial and production

• Livestock

• Residential and offices

There will also be an award for best new product or service.

Award entries officially closed in May. A full shortlist of finalists will be published later this summer on the RIDBA website and featured in the autumn edition of the RIDBA Journal.

The event is already drawing strong industry backing, with Kingspan, Hornsey Steel Panels and Sections, Steadmans and Ficep UK among the first sponsors to confirm their support.

Book your tickets today

Don’t miss out on your chance to attend the RIDBA Building Awards 2025.

Secure your place now by clicking here.

RIDBA AGM 2025: A day at Triumph Motorcycles

This year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place at the Triumph Motorcycles factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

Held at the end of April, RIDBA welcomed almost 60 members for a day of industry updates, networking and an exclusive tour of one of Britain’s most legendary motorcycle manufacturers.

The morning session featured a members’ meeting and the 2025 RIDBA AGM.

In the afternoon, members were treated to a behind-the-scenes factory tour of Triumph Motorcycles. From the design and engineering process to assembly and testing, the tour offered a fascinating insight.

Learn more about RIDBA membership.

The spring 2025 RIDBA Journal is here! What’s inside?

Industry updates

• A look back at LAMMA 2025 and a look ahead to RIDBA’s rapidly approaching AGM;
• We reveal when and where the RIDBA Building Awards 2025 will take place.

Livestock, safety and technical insights

• Pages 8-9: Dr Martin Haywood, RIDBA’s technical consultant, explores the importance of structural design;
• Page 10: Health and safety consultant Nick Redpath discusses the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in construction;
• Pages 16-17: Jamie Robertson, RIDBA’s livestock consultant, on the future of livestock buildings and how AI is shaping the sector.

Member news

• Pages 12-15: Updates from members, including IAE, Harrigen, Wareing Buildings and S&A Fabrications.

Member directory

• Find RIDBA members on pages 18-21. If you want your business to feature in this section you can apply to join RIDBA here.

Steeling the Limelight

• Dave Henbery, one of the latest additions to the RIDBA member services team, reveals all.

Read the spring 2025 RIDBA Journal now

RIDBA is excited to reveal Triumph Motorcycles will host the association’s 2025 AGM.

The factory of the world-famous company, which is based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, will open it’s doors to the RIDBA board and members on Tuesday, April 29.

Following the AGM, a tour of the facilities at Triumph will take place with visitors able to go behind-the-scenes and experience the design, dedication and detail that goes into every motorcycle.

RIDBA members can click here to book 2025 AGM tickets.

RIDBA was at LAMMA 2025, proudly showcasing the benefits of membership and engaging with attendees.

Thousands of visitors flocked to the UK’s leading agricultural machinery, equipment, and technology show, hosted at the NEC in Birmingham on January 15-16.

A prime spot in hall 8

Dave Henbery and Joe Chalk, from the member services team, were joined on the RIDBA stand in hall 8 by volunteers from the association’s board. The team was on hand to answer questions, connect with members, and meet new faces.

Reflecting on his first LAMMA experience, Dave said: “I had a fantastic experience at my first LAMMA. The event was incredibly well-organised, and our corner of hall 8 had such a friendly atmosphere. It was great catching up with some members and meeting a few in person for the first time.”

“RIDBA members enjoy a range of benefits, including the use of the brand for their business, access to industry networking events, discounted products and services, and expert information and advice. For those hiring a RIDBA member, the greatest advantage is the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re working with someone trusted and fully compliant with RIDBA’s guidelines.”

Insights from the junior vice chair

RIDBA junior vice chair, Matthew Hastwell, said: “LAMMA is always a good chance to highlight to the agricultural community why it’s important to use a RIDBA member for their projects.”

When asked about the risks involved in failing to choose RIDBA-accredited members Matthew said: “I’d say first and foremost, the accreditation RIDBA members have provides peace of mind for customers. That peace of mind could be anything from avoiding hidden fees during construction to the unthinkable like a collapse endangering people and livestock.

“It was great to be able to discuss those points over the course of the two days.”

Want to learn more?

Want to know more about what we got up to at LAMMA? Read all about it in the next edition of the RIDBA Journal.

If you want to see more pictures from our time at LAMMA ’25 you can follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter) for all the updates.