With over 170 guests attending, the British Drilling Association (BDA) Gala & Awards 2024 was a tremendous success, showcasing the best of the land drilling industry, while celebrating the achievements and advancements made by our members. Held in Liverpool on November 15, the evening brought together industry leaders for an unforgettable night of recognition, celebration, and networking.

Celebrating the winners

Of course, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the awards ceremony, where the BDA celebrated excellence across six categories. The winners were:

·       Health & Safety Award [Sponsored by Causeway Geotech] – Equipe Group, for its Rhino Cutter

·       Rising Star Award [Sponsored by WJ UK] – Ed Hopkins

·       Land Drilling Industry Contractor of the Year [Sponsored by Stratum Drilling Solutions] – Marshall Drilling; with Soil Engineering Highly Commended.

·       Specialist Support Service Supplier of the Year – Concept Site Investigations (Winner); with Alpha Plant & Equipment Highly Commended

·       Equipment Innovation Award – Marshall Drilling Ltd, for their multi-purpose geotechnical rotary coring mast; with Socotec and Alpha Plant & Equipment and Socotec Highly Commended

·       Lifetime Contribution to the Industry Award [Sponsored by Marshall Drilling] – Anne Baxter, James Raeburn, and Peter Reading, along with a special mention of Kevin Jones, the 2023 Lifetime Contribution recipient

The BDA extends its congratulations to all winners and a thank you to every nominee for their hard work, dedication, and innovation within the land drilling sector.