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The British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards returned in style on 4 December 2025, bringing together organisations from across the healthcare and assistive technology sectors for an evening of recognition, pride, and celebration in the heart of Sheffield.
With a sold‑out room, a buzzing atmosphere, and a brilliant host in Dr Phil Hammond, this year’s awards showcased the incredible dedication, compassion, and innovation driving our industry forward.
Guests were welcomed by David Stockdale, Chief Executive of the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), who opened the evening with heartfelt thanks to nominees, judges, sponsors, and attendees. His message set the tone for the night: recognising the exceptional commitment and skill behind every submission and celebrating the people and organisations working tirelessly to improve lives every single day.
Dr Phil Hammond then took to the stage, bringing his trademark humour and warmth, keeping the energy high and the room laughing as the awards got underway.
A huge thank you goes to our event sponsors, including headline sponsor Verlingue, a long‑standing supporter of our work and which offers the BHTA member insurance scheme. We also thank our category sponsors P3 People Management and Foundations for helping make this year’s event possible.
With a three‑course dinner, three rounds of awards, a charity raffle in support of Sheffield Young Carers, and a DJ closing the night, the evening was a true celebration of collaboration, community, and excellence.
Below is a full round‑up of the outstanding winners recognised at this year’s British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards 2025.
Winner: Liam Bembridge – Gainsborough Healthcare Group
Highly Commended: Brandon Williams – Stiltz Homelifts
The Rising Star category shone a spotlight on exceptional emerging talent. Brandon Williams was recognised for his leadership, technical skill, and the measurable improvements he has driven across his team.
The overall winner, Liam Bembridge, impressed judges with his ability to fuse hands‑on expertise with innovative thinking, strengthening Gainsborough’s reputation for quality while inspiring those around him. A truly deserving Rising Star.
Winner: Ross Care
Ross Care captured this award through its transformative Community Health & Engagement programme, which blends advocacy, education, and compassionate support. Judges were particularly impressed by its holistic approach and the lasting social impact it is creating across the communities it serves.
Winner: The Occupational Therapy Show
Voted for by BHTA members, The OT Show stood out for its exceptional organisation, strong educational content, and the collaborative spirit it fosters. Bringing together thousands of professionals, it continues to be a cornerstone event for the health and care community.
Winner: Raybloc
Raybloc impressed the judging panel with its relentless commitment to innovation and product excellence. The manufacturer’s advanced smart‑glass technology, LED‑lit warning systems, and dedication to quality and safety demonstrate leadership in modern manufacturing, underpinned by meaningful community engagement and an education‑first mindset.
Winner: H&M Bathlifts
H&M Bathlifts was recognised for the sustainability‑focused design of the Kanjo Bathlift, championing environmental responsibility without compromising on quality. Its extended warranty model reduces waste, while its recyclable packaging and low‑emission logistics cemented its win as a true leader in sustainable product development.
Winner: Abacus Gemini MX Bath – Gainsborough Healthcare Group
This award honours products that empower greater independence and dignity. Abacus delivered exactly that through the latest Gemini MX Bath, incorporating direct user feedback into its design. The judges were particularly struck by its impact on children and young people, supported by compelling testimonials demonstrating the real‑world difference it makes to families.
Winner: Wheelfreedom
Although unable to attend the ceremony, Wheelfreedom secured the award thanks to its exceptional multidisciplinary approach, which includes engineers, clinical assessors, and customer service specialists working in tandem. Its robust care cycle, spanning consultation to aftercare, illustrates a deep commitment to customer wellbeing.
Winner: Medequip’s Wellbeing Team
Medequip’s Wellbeing Team stood out for their proactive, structured, and inclusive initiatives that uplifted their entire organisation. From training more than 90 mental health first‑aiders to expanding neurodiversity awareness and driving staff volunteering, the team has embedded a culture of empathy and support, making an admirable, measurable impact.
Winners: Stephen Perry and Jean Hutfield
This prestigious category honours individuals whose decades‑long dedication has shaped our sector.
Stephen Perry
With over 43 years of service in mobility and healthcare, Stephen has been a driving force for innovation, accessibility, and ethical practice. His work across organisations – including Keep Able, Freerider UK, and Electric Mobility – and his later leadership at the BHTA have left a profound and lasting legacy.
Jean Hutfield
Jean’s 50‑year career, including four decades in community equipment, has transformed understanding and recognition of equipment services across the UK. Her influential leadership as Chief Executive and long‑standing Chair of NAEP has strengthened partnerships, professional standards, and patient outcomes nationwide.
Both winners embody the spirit of service, leadership, and compassion at the heart of our industry.
A heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners, nominees, and finalists. Each one represents the best of our sector: innovation, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to improving people’s lives.
Our sincere thanks also go to our judging panel, our sponsors, and everyone who attended the 2025 BHTA Awards Evening. Your passion and support are what make this industry so exceptional.
We look forward to celebrating with you again in 2026. Until then, thank you for helping us champion better, safer, and more inclusive healthcare for all.
The winners of the British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards 2024 have been announced across eight categories.
Hosted by the British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA), the glittering awards ceremony celebrated excellence in the healthcare and assistive technology industry. It took place at the Grand Hotel Birmingham on 29 November to commemorate the exceptional accomplishments of BHTA members, non-BHTA members, healthcare professionals, and industry partners.
Throughout the evening, attendees had the chance to network with industry peers, enjoy a tantalising three-course dinner in the hotel’s grand ballroom, and hear about the inspirational achievements of the award winners.
Melissa Johns presented this year’s awards ceremony. She is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in all industries. Born without a right forearm and hand, Melissa was named one of the UK’s 100 Most Influential Disabled People and one of JCI’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World.
There were eight award categories at the British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards 2024:
Richard Holland-Oakes won the Lifetime Service Award. Over his 45 years in the industry, Richard has worked with a number of recognisable names, like Ottobock, Sunrise Medical, Permobil, and Recare. Throughout this time, he has led the industry in service standards.
The judges were particularly impressed with his passion for inclusion. His nomination made it clear that Richard doesn’t just own or help run his company; he is hands-on and actively builds a legacy of compassion, understanding, and engineering excellence. In addition, he is an active supporter of the industry as a whole and remains a staunch supporter of the BHTA, its values, and mission.
Rollz’s Motion Electric won the Product of the Year Award. The Motion Electric revolutionises mobility aids by merging the functionality of a rollator, transport chair, and electric wheelchair. This fulfils a crucial gap in the market for individuals with varying mobility needs.
A special additional Highly Commended Award was also given to Ottobock’s Genium X4, as the judges recognised this as another exceptional product. The Genium X4 microprocessor knee supports smooth, real-time transitions from sitting to activity. Each step is constantly monitored to monitor change of speed. With improved water durability and battery life, the knee is described as the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of MPKs.
The OT Show won the Best UK Trade Show Award. This award was voted on by BHTA members, who were impressed with the variety of sessions, speakers, and workshops all supporting a common and united purpose. With a clear audience, the OT Show provided many trade opportunities for conversation and collaboration.
Mobility Scotland won the Retailer of the Year Award. Mobility Scotland’s nomination emphasised its company objectives of “Right, first time, every time”along with a commitment to value. Its unique approach of long-lasting customer relationships is supported by the fact that Mobility Scotland does not advertise through mainstream sources, relying instead on word of mouth, with over 70 percent of business coming from returning customer and referrals.
Laura Wilson won the Rising Star Award. Laura leads the Steeper Product Evaluation Group in Orthotics, and during her tenure she has streamlined the process. She has constantly sought training and new opportunities, including travelling to France and Germany to build relationships and source products. Her work has had clear success both in financial terms and in improving patient outcomes.
Care & Independence won the Manufacturer of the Year Award. The judges were impressed not only by Care & Independence’s established market presence and commitment to customer engagement, but also by its investment in and encouragement of new and innovative ways of thinking and best practices. Care & Independence has a near 40-year heritage.
Reliance Medical won the Innovation in Sustainability Award. Reliance Medical showcased a robust and thoughtful approach to sustainability, with a company fleet of electric or hybrid vehicles, an energy-efficient building complete with rooftop solar farm, and a designated employee Green Team action group. Additionally, it has launched several fully recycled and recyclable products, with a goal that all its first aid consumables will be free of plastics by 2025.
Opcare won the Outstanding Community Outreach Award. The Opcare team goes above and beyond in making a significant contribution to its community. Many new equipment users have difficulty in accessing guidance and learning about their instruments. These difficulties can include transportation, capabilities, or availability. Opcare developed a series of satellite clinics around Leicestershire, which, in addition to providing equipment and expertise, also delivered equipment to patients’ homes.
Commenting on the British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards 2024, David Stockdale, CEO of the BHTA, said: “Thank you to everyone that attended this year’s British Healthcare Trades Industry Awards and a big congratulations to all of the award winners. It was a brilliant event to celebrate the sector’s exceptional achievements.”