Brummie builder wins UK Bricklayer of the Year at prestigious awards ceremony & makes a special dedication

His outstanding craftsmanship with unmatched dedication has seen Brummie builder Ash Mahoney named Bricklayer of the Year at the 2023 On The Tools Awards.

Ash, the proprietor of Birmingham based construction company Mahoney Brickworks, dedicated his award to fellow brickie Richie Maxwell who passed away earlier this year and was known to many as ‘the Blonde Bricky’, 

The prestigious awards ceremony was sponsored by Jewson and held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground where a raft of exceptional individuals in the UK construction sector were celebrated. 

Ash impressed an esteemed panel of judges, featuring industry experts like past awardees Naima Ben-Moussa and Ricky Howell, who meticulously evaluated entries in each category. 

Their assessments considered factors such as expertise in the craft, contribution to the trade, and an unwavering passion for the work.  A satisfied customer hailed Ash in his awards entry as “the best in the trade”, citing his consistently exceptional work and unparalleled work ethic. 

Lee Wilcox, CEO and co-founder of On The Tools, commended the well-deserved victories of the evening, stating, “Having secured the second position in the super trowel competition, Ash's commitment to excellence is evident. Ash's proactive involvement extends beyond bricklaying, establishing him as a passionate advocate for his fellow tradespeople.

"Ash often engages with On The Tools to advocate for crucial trade issues, most recently contributing valuable insights on universal credit for self-employed tradespeople amid the cost-of-living crisis. Congratulations on a well-deserved win." 

Richie was a previous Bricklayer of the Year Award winner who won praise for his dedication to the trade and skill in his craft. On The Tools have told how Richie spent his career giving back to the community, putting his time and expertise into charity projects to improve the lives of others. 

Upon winning the award, Ash said, “First of all, I just want to say it's a massive honour to win this award. But, the person I want to thank most is someone who unfortunately is not here with us today, and that's Richie Maxwell. I know last year he was the one that nominated me for this award, which, unfortunately, I didn't win. So, this year because I've got the win, I'm gonna dedicate this to Richie Maxwell. Because he nominated me last year and we've done it this year. So this is for you brother, big love.” 

On the night, Lee Wilcox, CEO and co-founder of On The Tools said: "On The Tools is connecting construction to improve the lives of UK tradespeople. Entertaining, informing and empowering tradespeople is at the heart of everything we do. 

“We recognise that tradespeople deserve to be uplifted and celebrated; they’re the ones keeping this nation going. So, after a hugely successful awards programme in 2022, I am thrilled to bring the awards back for 2023, with thanks to the support of our generous sponsors. 

“I hope that tonight’s celebration serves as a testament to the unbeatable spirit of our tradespeople. Let their stories inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.” A full list of winners can be found here: On the Tools winners