Outstanding work on a landmark project has secured the top accolade for a London business at the Painting and Decorating Association’s (PDA) Premier Trophy Awards.

J&N Finishes, based in London and Essex, has been recognised for its work as part of a ‘restoration for the ages’ at Skinners’ Hall, Dowgate Hill, which included exterior and interior work across a range of skills from gilding and gold leaf to distemper and limewash.

The project won the ‘Highly Decorative’ category and was named ‘Supreme Winner’ at a glittering ceremony hosted by the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA) at Plaisterers’ Hall, London.

Launched by Joe Ayres and Neil Whitmore, J&N Finishes ( www.jandnfinishes.co.uk) is the culmination of a partnership that began when the two studied painting and decorating together at Hackney College. They went on to work for the same contractor before joining forces and setting up their own business in 2018.

J & N Finishes were recognised for their work as part of a major restoration at Skinners' Hall, London

placeholder image — J & N Finishes were recognised for their work as part of a major restoration at Skinners' Hall, London

Neil said: “We’re absolutely over the moon. This is the first award we’ve ever won and to be Supreme Winner at the PDA’s Premier Trophy Awards is just absolutely brilliant. All our hard work has paid off.

“We knew the project was amazing, but we didn’t expect to win the top award out of all the projects that have entered from across the UK.”

Joe added: “What an achievement. It’s brilliant, how far we’ve come, and I hope anyone who is at college now, or thinking of starting their own business realises that anything can happen if you just go for it.

“As a business, it feels fantastic to think that we can achieve those high-level standards across the board.”

J & N Finishes are presented with the Supreme Winner award at the PDA Premier Trophy Awards

Award entries are judged by a panel of experts from the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI), who examined 103 entries, visited 53 sites and scored entrants across seven categories before selecting an overall winner.

The judges gave the Skinners’ Hall project top marks across all areas from contract management and technical skills to the quality of finishes achieved, stating: “The project demonstrated a complete range of painting and decorating skills, the finish was first class. The judges were impressed with the excellence of the specialist work.”

The Premier Trophy Awards is held annually by the PDA to fly the flag for excellence in the sector. The main sponsor for 2025 was Johnstone’s Trade.

Neil Ogilvie, Chief Executive of the PDA said: “As the largest trade body representing painters and decorators across the UK, the PDA stands for the highest standards of work, customer service and compliance.

“J&N Finishes’ work at Skinners’ Hall is outstanding and we congratulate them on winning a highly sought-after Premier Trophy Award.

“Their work sets a benchmark for quality and is a stellar example of best practice in the sector.”