UK Plant Operator of the Year 2025: The Results

The UK Plant Operator of the Year (UKPO) 2025 took place at CITB’s National Construction College (NCC) in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, on Saturday 6 September. The competition brought together the best plant operator competitors, global manufacturers, national and regional plant hirers and contractors from across the UK, with the overall winner collecting the grand prize of £10,000 from a total prize pot of £20,000.

Competitors showcased their skills in ten unique category challenges. Categories included Excavators, Mini-Excavators, Site Dumpers, Backhoes, Articulated Dump Trucks, Tiltrotators, Grapple Grabs, Fork Attachments, Dozers, and Wheeled Loaders.

No other UK plant operator competition offers finalists the variety of brands to compete on and, in addition to the grand prize, individual category winners were each awarded £250 and a trophy.

The UKPO 2025 results are:

• Champion – Liam Lambert, Director of Liam Lambert Construction
• Second place – James Covell, Owner of Kings Lynn Construction
• Third place – Lewis Jarman from Breheny Civil Engineering

To see the full list of results, click here.

Gary Cumiskey, Head of CITB’s NCC said:

“This year’s competition didn’t disappoint – it was a hotly contested event! And it is such a wonderful reminder of the wide array of talent we have in the industry.

“On behalf of CITB I would like to congratulate this year’s winner, Liam Lambert, Director of Liam Lambert Construction, and all the finalists for setting such high standards within the industry. Events like this are vital in highlighting the crucial role plant operators play in building the UK’s infrastructure safely and efficiently.”

Jeff Schofield, Director of UK Plant Operators Magazine said:

“UK Plant Operator of the Year gets bigger and better every year. This year we had record applications to compete and over 2,000 people registered to attend. We trust that we were able to inspire a next generation to consider a career in construction by training to be a plant operator at CITB’s National Construction College in Bircham Newton”.

CITB would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters and strategic partners of this year’s UK Plant Operator of the Year competition.