Since launching in 2014, the BDA Awards have provided a platform to showcase the very best of the land drilling sector – celebrating innovation, safety, emerging talent, and the individuals whose long-standing contributions have shaped our industry. Each year, the Awards highlight the exceptional people, projects and initiatives that continue to drive excellence across the profession.
Celebrating our achievements! The milestones below highlight just some of the many accomplishments the British Drilling Association is proud of – achievements that reflect our collective commitment to raising standards across the industry. They serve as both a reminder of how far we’ve come and an inspiration for current and future members to continue driving improvement and excellence.
With over 180 guests in attendance, the BDA Gala & Awards 2025 was a tremendous success, showcasing excellence across the land drilling industry and celebrating the achievements, professionalism and innovation demonstrated by our members. Held at the York Milner Hotel on 28th November, the evening brought together industry colleagues for a memorable night of recognition, networking, and community spirit.
As well as honouring outstanding work across the sector, the event proudly supported Yorkshire Children’s Charity – raising over £3,000 on the night – reinforcing the BDA’s long-standing commitment to giving back while championing professional excellence.
Celebrating Our Winners
The highlight of the evening was once again the awards ceremony, where we recognised exceptional contributions across five categories. This year’s entries demonstrated the innovation, dedication and pride that continue to strengthen our industry.
Highly Commended: Luke Wilshire, Wheeler Site Investigation
Congratulations to all our winners and highly commended nominees – and thank you to every entrant for your hard work, professionalism and continued contribution to the land drilling sector.
The BDA extends its sincere thanks to all sponsors whose support makes the Awards possible each year, with special appreciation to our headline sponsor, Stratum Drilling Solutions. Your commitment to the sector and continued support of the BDA Awards play a vital role in celebrating excellence and advancing standards across the land drilling industry.
The list below is a snapshot of the many landmarks and achievements that the British Drilling Association is rightly proud of, and serve as an encouragement to existing and future members to seek for further improvements in the industry:
The BDA delivered its third national conference, strengthening industry dialogue and collaboration; the first company achieved 100% Audit Compliance across multiple drilling machines, marking a major milestone for audit excellence; the BDA partnered with SmartCheck, the sector’s leading digital inspection provider, enhancing safety and reporting standards; an updated Position Statement on PUWER and LOLER was published, offering clearer guidance for duty holders; the BDA was appointed as the lead drilling organisation for the Construction Leadership Council’s Super Sector Competence Programme, with the Civil Super Sector Group for drilling established as part of the wider Engineering Services Super Sector, supporting improved competence and safety standards across the built environment; new Wireline Safety Guidance was released to support safer operational practice; an increased Audit Focus on Pre-Operational Inspections was introduced; the BDA and AGS jointly issued industry guidance on managing the risk of encountering pressurised gas during drilling; the Association took part in GE magazine’s roundtable on subsurface data sharing, promoting better knowledge exchange; the Core Handling video Best Practices for Preserving Core Quality was launched; a new guide, Working with Wind, was released to support safe operations in adverse conditions; a dedicated training video on Thorough Examination Certification for Drilling was published; the Driller’s Guide to Permits in Coal Mining Areas was released, helping members navigate regulatory requirements; the BDA lent its support to the national coalition opposing damaging apprenticeship reforms; and the educational video Soil, Rock and Water: The Life of a Ground Investigation Sample was launched, helping raise awareness of subsurface science and good investigative practice.
The BDA welcomed the Mining Remediation Authority (formerly the Coal Authority) as a client member, expanding outreach; BDA published guidance on obtaining Coal Authority permits; Mental Health Blog initiative launched, focusing on awareness within the industry; The BDA delivered its Spring Conference, discussing growth opportunities in the drilling sector; Updated BDA guidance for Safe Drilling on Contaminated Land; Record attendance at the BDA’s AGM; Announcement of the new BDA Wire Rope training available online; Launched the BDA Net Zero Working Group, to guide members toward sustainability goals; Engaged in sustainability discussions at the GE Piling & Foundations Conference, promoting green practices; BDA leads the industry with record audit numbers and commitment to excellence. BDA lends its supports Project RECCE and offers partnership opportunities; BDA releases updated guidance on Cable Percussion machines; BDA introduces new Dynamic Sampling guidance; Announced Asbestos Awareness as a mandatory requirement for BDA Audits from 1st September 2024; BDA launches Core Handling video; BDA leads the industry with record audit numbers and commitment to excellence; Revamped BDA Gala & Awards draws record number of entries and guests; Over £95,000 raised to-date by member the generous members of the BDA.
BDA kick starts its sustainability programme with webinar “Carbon Challenges for Members”; BDA organises its first annual conference “Education, training and tackling the skills shortage in drilling”; BDA Social Events Continue (football and golf); BDA Audit updated and improved to include aspects of data quality; BDA produces training video on Standard Penetration Test (SPT); BDA supports Scottish Rail’s “Safe Hands” campaign; “Why Audit” video produced to explain its benefits to members and non-members; Land Drilling New Entrant Scheme 2023/24 Launched; BDA Chair Paul McMann joins GE’s mental health round table discussion; New member benefits added – discounts on industry related publications / insurance discounts; BDA Exhibits at Geotechnica 2023; BDA Chair, Paul McMann, presents at GE Sustainability Conference 2023 – September 2023; BDA explores Ex-Offenders / Ex-Military as an option to address the skills shortages; BDA Chair, Paul McMann, presents at GE Smart Geotechnics 2023 – October 2023; BDA issues guidance on Safe Loading & Unloading of Vehicles; BDA Wire Rope Safety video commissioned; BDA participates in Coal Authority / HSE Workshop series. BDA publishes updated/new Guidance documents – Thorough Examinations, steel wire ropes, lifting accessories and certification; Sample Labels Guidance; Driller’s Daily Report; Hydraulic User Inspection Guide; Audit Handbook.
Formulation of ‘Sustainability Working Towards Net Zero’ Group; British Drilling Association Audit Steering Group established – comprising Chairs of all committees, audit team & The Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC); New General Manager (Joel Stevens) appointed; Prison Education Scheme created – a programme designed to engage with rehabilitated offenders to provide them a pathway to a career in drilling; First British Drilling Association Audit awarded for Geothermal Drilling; Chair of British Drilling Association presents at Ground Engineering Smart Geotechnics Conference; Chair of British Drilling Association presents at Contamination & Geotech Expo 2022; BDA Social events (football and golf) relaunched after a 2-year break, due to COVID-19 restrictions; Programme of Member discounts benefits established with organisations (Dell, CHAS and First Insurance Solutions).
Introduced a Digital Election Process for BDA elections; BDA Audit scheme accredited by Mineral Products Qualifications Council MPQC, ensuring it is run and administered in line with ISO 19011; New Rotary Drilling Manual published and FREE to all; BSI documents distributor agreement signed with BDA; BDA SAP Apprenticeship Scheme 2021/22 – Group 10, with largest number of Apprentices to date (12 in total); Online series of webinars delivered; Online series of webinars continued to be delivered.
Level 3 Diploma qualification in Advanced Land Drilling launched in association with MP Awards; Online series of webinars introduced, on a variety of topics; New BDA website launched; BS 5930_2015+A1_2020 went live on the BSI system; Re-launch and rebrand of the BDA Audit.
8th Series BDA Technical Seminars – What are the Risks of Rising Complacency about Geotechnics?; 70th Land Drilling Apprentice taken on; New Level 3 NVQ developed. Initiated work on a non-drilling NVQ for Geotechnical Operatives so they can get CSCS cards. 2019; Common Data Errors Guidance published.
7th Series BDA Technical Seminars – Solutions for the Future of the Geotechnical Industry; Drillers 5-a-Side Football Tournament launched; Cable Percussion rig manual published.
Highest number of members (since 2004) – standing at 133; Record number of audited members – standing at 224; “Quality Matters” Road Show – delivered across the UK; 6th Series BDA Technical Seminars – Best Practice in Linear Infrastructure Projects.
BDA 40th Anniversary; Guidance Cable Percussion; 5th Series BDA Technical Seminars – Health & Well Being.
Health & Safety Manual (Revised); 4th Series BDA Technical Seminars – Digital Data.
EN16228 Drill Rig Safety developed with help BDA (replaces En791); 3rd Series BDA Technical Seminars – Innovation.
2nd Series BDA Technical Seminars – Safety.
Hazardous Gases document with Coal Authority / Health & Safety Executive; BS5930 A2 amendment co-ordinated/facilitated by BDA; 1st Series BDA Technical Seminars – Quality.
4th Geodrilling Show. Developed Sector Scheme for Geothermal Drilling.
BDA launched new website launched; Developed Sector Scheme for Ground Investigation.
Guidance, Contaminated Land revision; 3rd GeoDrilling Show.
BDA Apprenticeship Scheme; Guidance, Dynamic Sampling.
2nd Geodrilling Show.
BDA Audit launched; Guidance, Cable Percussion; 1st GeoDrilling Show.
BDA Joined the NSCC.
BDA Health & Safety Manual launched.
BDA website launched; CSCS Land Drilling card created.
National Vocational Qualifications, Land Drilling, for drill crews.
Guidance Notes, Protection of Persons from Rotating Parts.
Directory of Ground Investigation Contractors created.
EN 791, Drill Rig Safety developed with BDA’s help.
Guidance Notes, Safe Drilling Contaminated Land.
Drilling Technology Open Learning Course launched.
Code of Safe Drilling Practice Seminars – Safety.
BDA endorsed Training School.
BDA Driller Accreditation; First Competence Award scheme.
BS 4019, Part 2 developed and became ISO Standard.
Looking to the future, many more initiatives are in progress and the BDA is continuously evolving to truly represent the entire drilling sector. Your contribution to these initiatives would be extremely useful and if you are not already, why not join the BDA now.
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