HMS

The Keith Simpson Legacy Award, sponsored by Direct Works Group, is another new award for 2025. In memory of our founder, Keith Simpson, who we lost last year, this award recognises the overall winner of the night, as voted by the room. The clear winner was Mia Goodall from HMS, our 2025 Best Apprentice in Repairs and Maintenance.  Not only are Mia’s achievements so far impressive, but she was a star on the night displaying her new-found confidence by getting up in front of the room to discussion her career pathway, bringing the house down as she warned everyone to “watch out when she gets her van” next year when she qualifies.  Congratulations, Mia, you’re a bright spark and a very worthy winner of this prestigious award. We wish you the best for your future career in housing.

Mia Goodall (HMS) was named the 2025 Best Apprentice in Repairs and Maintenance at the Direct Works Awards on 4th March. Mia is an outstanding apprentice who has demonstrated exceptional learning, commitment, and growth throughout her apprenticeship, becoming an invaluable asset to HMS and an inspiring figure within the industry, winning regional awards and supporting women in construction.    She has gained an outstanding electrical knowledge, contributing significantly to the repairs and maintenance work across multiple housing projects, showcasing her adaptability and eagerness to learn, allowing her to meet diverse challenges with confidence.   When she first joined HMS, she was a shy and reserved individual. Over time, she has blossomed into a highly competent and confident professional. Her ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and customers, coupled with her growing expertise, has made her a valued member of the team. This newfound confidence was clear on the night as she engaged with sponsor Mike Brogan from Procure Plus, who presented the award and talked to Mia about why she chose to be an electrical apprentice and her aspirations for the future. Mia was nominated because she consistently goes the extra mile in delivering top-tier customer service, ensuring that every customer interaction is positive and that all work completed is of the highest standard.  Beyond her apprenticeship, Mia actively contributes to the wider community by speaking at schools and engaging in ‘women into construction’ events. She shares her personal journey as an apprentice electrician, inspiring young people, especially women, to consider careers in construction. Mia’s college has also consistently praised her progress and commitment to learning, with her tutors commending her technical ability, dedication to improving her skills, and active participation in class.  For all of these reasons, Mia was also awarded the Direct Works Group Keith Simpson Legacy Award at the end of the evening. We asked guests to vote for the overall winner on the night, and Mia was a clear winner. Mia is a role model for others in the industry and has a bright future ahead in social housing repairs and maintenance.  #Congratulations Mia! 

https://lnkd.in/eSNZCCcs Great to see our case study on the transformation of Kingsway House featured in Architecture Magazine. A scheme we were very proud to be involved with working with Torus and contractor HMS. #highrise #refurbishment #sustainabiltiy

What a whirlwind 24 hours! First up was the Direct Works Annual Awards dinner, where I was truly honoured to receive an award. But the real highlight was seeing my colleagues recognised for their incredible contributions to our organisation. Melissa Addison was highly commended for her outstanding work in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). Like many construction organisations, we face significant challenges in this area, and Molly has been instrumental in driving meaningful change — not just within HMS but across Torus Group. Her dedication to embedding inclusivity into our day to day activities made this recognition so well deserved! Then came Mia Goodall, who absolutely stole the show, winning not one, but two awards: Best Apprentice and the prestigious Keith Simpson Legacy Award, voted for by the audience on the night! Watching her be celebrated by a room full of professionals was nothing short of inspiring. She’s not just succeeding — she is paving the way for future generations of young women considering a career in construction, proving that with hard work and determination, there are no limits to what can be achieved. She is a true ambassador for the industry, and I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of an incredible career ahead! Fast forward to today, and I had the privilege of being part of a Q&A panel of powerhouse women at St.Helens R.F.C. #InternationalWomensDay event. Throughout my career, I’ve battled imposter syndrome, and today was no exception! Sitting alongside these trailblazers who are breaking barriers and shaping the future & leaving legacies was a true pinch-me moment! Their journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the impact they continue to make in their respective fields are nothing short of extraordinary! 👏 👏 👏 A huge thank you to Yvonne Millett & Sonia Caldwell for organising such an empowering afternoon (and a gorgeous lunch!), and to Dave Hutchinson for making us all feel so at ease. The cherry on the top was sharing this experience with so many inspiring women who I am privileged to work with ❤️ #womenempoweringwomen #IWD2025 #InternationalWomensDay Sally Yeoman MBE Jodie Cunningham Victoria Gosling OBE Natasha Dowie Annette Franke