We've been delighted by the overwhelming response to our Emerging Talent Awards, receiving nominations from across the industry, with submissions reflecting the contribution of a wide range of entrants.
Emerging Talent Awards Shortlisted Nominees
The Awards are about recognising and rewarding the achievements of those at the beginning of their career in the sector and form part of Industry Day's third seminar session, Emerging Talent Awards: meet the new stars of the stone industry, on Wednesday 7 June. This will be hosted by leading broadcaster and sustainability commentator Susannah Streeter and culminates with the award presentation.
The chosen winners will be presented with their award, along with a voucher to the value of £250, at the 2023 Natural Stone Show, June 6-8 at ExCeL, London. In addition each winner will be featured in the Natural Stone Specialist magazine and on www.stonespecialist.com
Douglas Stevens
Traditional Skills Training Officer -
Historic Environment Scotland
Nominated by Callum Plews, Training Manager – Historic Environment Scotland
Douglas Stevens has proven himself to be a dedicated, passionate, and talented employee at Historic Environment Scotland. A qualified stonemason, he gained a Silver Medal in the 2022 SkillBuild national finals, coming first in the Knowledge Test that ran concurrently with the practical competition. Douglas has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to developing his knowledge and understanding of traditional skills. In 2022 alone, he volunteered for the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Working Party at Finzean Sawmill and was awarded a bursary place on The Scottish Lime Centre Trusts Rendering and Harling with Lime course. Creative Scotland also acknowledged his drive and determination to further his craft skills by awarding him £750 to attend a specialist Stone Letter Carving Course run by the acclaimed lettering artist Robbie Schneider. Douglas’s passion and commitment to ensuring the future of the industry was rewarded with a promotion to Traditional Skills Training Officer and he is now working with the next generation of apprentice stonemasons.
