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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 at the prestigious Cutlers’ Hall, 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.
Medequip is the UK’s market-leading provider of community equipment and complementary services to local authorities and the National Health Service (NHS). Medequip’s services enable individuals to live independently at home for longer, alleviating pressures on the NHS and other healthcare services. Located in Harmondsworth, close to Heathrow Airport, and with turnover of over £200m, Medequip employs more than 1,000 people.
James Ibbotson, CEO of Medequip looks forward to the collaboration with Medux. “This partnership is a major step forward for Medequip. By working alongside Medux, we can capitalise on its vast experience as the market leader in the Netherlands and further accelerate Medequip’s growth. Medux has an impressive reputation in the Dutch equipment market, and we look forward to our exciting future together with great confidence.”
With a shared focus on ensuring healthcare remains affordable and accessible with an efficient supply of products and services, both Medux and Medequip have strong reputations amongst end users, prescribers and clients. In the Netherlands, Medux supplies more than 1.5 million medical devices annually via its brands Medipoint, HartingBank and Atlas Kidtech. In the UK Medequip visits more than 1.3 million customers every year delivering community equipment services, technology enabled care services (TECS), planned preventative maintenance (PPM) and minor adaptations. By joining forces, Medux and Medequip will strengthen their services and broaden their customer bases.
“This is a big step forward for Medux”, says Jop Pollmann, CEO of Medux, “We are strengthening our position in the European equipment market; a market that is growing rapidly due to the ageing population and government policies to enable people to live at home independently for longer. This is something we are very familiar with and which provides significant opportunities for both Medux and Medequip.”
David Weavers, Partner at Clearwater International who advised Medequip states: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the Siddall family and the management team of Medequip. Medux has committed to further investment which will benefit the company and its various stakeholders. We wish both companies every success for the future.”
The organisations will continue to operate independently of each other. The proposed structure was submitted to the Dutch Healthcare Authority (Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit, NZa) for approval, the relevant regulatory authority in the Netherlands.