Shortlist Gallery

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

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#1 Darron Brough, Managing Director & Founder, Metalline
Working within the cladding and architectural sector over the last 30 years, Darron Brough, Managing Director & Founder of Metalline has cultivated a reputation within the industry. He has the ability to adapt existing products and services, as well as innovate new products to reflect the changing needs of the building and construction market.

With the impact of Grenfall still being felt amongst the industry, Darron took the opportunity to invent an integrated wireless heat and smoke system that can be included within the external façade of high-risk buildings where combustible materials are present, known today as Intelliclad.

Using smart sensors fitted inside the cladding system, and connected to a control system so that in the event of a fire, an alert can be sent to all residents via a unique smartphone app and the main building alarm system. The design and development of this system coincided with a national debate regarding the growing need for a fire detection system as an alternative cost-effective innovation to tackle the cladding crisis in the UK.

2022 will also see the launch of Darron’s latest venture, CLAD-LINE aimed at providing customers with a structurally efficient and fully compliant subframe offering. CLAD-LINE also incorporates a state-of-the-art and free to use Façade Engine software, to help any customer overcome project challenges and provide a comprehensive static calculation for their project requirements.

Darron’s ethos of providing outstanding products and excellent service has always been prominent in the success of Metalline and continues with his future endeavours.

#2 Brian G Newell MBE, Chairman, Shackerley
Brian G Newell MBE began his career as an apprentice tiler straight from school aged 15. His engineering talent and entrepreneurial approach led him to found the Shackerley business, utilising his expertise in ceramics to drive innovation in the façade sector.

Brian’s pioneering approach to research and development has resulted in two Queen’s Awards for innovation. Under his leadership, Shackerley has become a market leader in the ventilated façade sector with its SureClad® Ceramic Granite, Engineered Stone, Natural Stone and Terracotta façade systems, and its BrickClad® brick cladding system. The company has garnered a reputation for lasting quality, technical excellence and the highest standards of aesthetics and Brian was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list.

Brian’s is focussed on ease, speed and accuracy of installation, façade performance, aesthetics, safety and service life. This led to the development of the SureClad® Access system; an innovative Queens’ Award-winning design that requires only one horizontal rail per course of SureClad® cladding panels, which can be used to install ceramic granite, engineered stone, terracotta or some natural stone panels.

Safety is also a priority for Brian: all Shackerley’s cladding systems are A1 or A2-s1-d0 rated to EN13501-1 and his focus on R&D has also led to the development of the sector’s only A1 rated safety meshing system. He has also carried out seismic testing on the SureClad® system.

Alongside his role as Group Chairman of Shackerley, Brian has been involved in the development of various European (CEN) and international Standards (ISO) and received the first ever BSI ‘International Standards Maker’ Award, in 2014.