This marks the seventh year of the successful supplier development programme which offers valuable industry knowledge and support to local companies in the construction sector.

Taking place over seven weeks, participants in the programme attend weekly half-day interactive learning sessions with hub South West’s Tier One contractors. Each session focuses on a key business area, offering expert advice on a variety of topics from successfully navigating tendering and procurement, to developing an effective business and marketing strategy and more.

Ultimate Uplifts is a Lanarkshire-based waste management company with services including domestic, business and trades waste disposal. They pride themselves on the quality and speed of their work and their commitment to recycling items wherever possible to avoid sending them to landfill.

An array of local businesses also participated in the Build Lanarkshire programme this year, including specialists in stretch ceiling installations, venetian plastering, architecture and gas certification training.

During the final session of the programme, participants delivered a presentation highlighting their key takeaways, personal progress, and how they intend to use their learnings to positively impact the future of their business.

Ultimate Upflits was named as the worthy winner, chosen by a panel of industry experts from North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and BAM UK based on their proactive involvement throughout the programme, quality of presentation and stand-out progress over the eight-week period.

Winner, Lee Johnson, director of Ultimate Uplifts, said: “Attending this programme was absolutely phenomenal, both for my business and for me personally. To be crowned champion at the end was just incredible, especially with so much competition in the room.

“The training and advice we received from a variety of different trainers each week was amazing. We got help about various areas of running a business including strategy, finance and marketing.

“Being given all of the above on the one course is unheard of and invaluable for any business. hub South West Scotland, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and everyone and everyone else involved have produced an absolute masterclass for local businesses by putting this course together. I would urge every business owner in the area to look at attending the next programme. You won’t regret it!”

Discussing the benefits that the Build Programme can bring to local companies, Joseph Dugan, Social Value Manager at hub South West said: “Our free-to-attend Build Programme provides a valuable opportunity for local construction companies to gain first-hand advice from industry leaders which they can implement into their own business strategy. Our aim is to develop their skills within the sector, support them with a sustainable and feasible business plan and successfully achieve their long-term ambitions within the market.

“It’s fantastic watching individuals from a wide range of backgrounds gain confidence and transform over the course of seven weeks. Our sessions provide the added benefit of being able to meet and connect with like-minded people within the industry which offers exciting collaborative opportunities, and we see these relationships continue to flourish for years to come.”