Simon Acres, Managing Director of Simon Acres Group Limited has been honoured with The David Caulfield Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2025 BKU Awards for his exceptional passion, dedication and commitment to supporting industry apprenticeships. Simon Acres Group is a specialist KBB, merchant and construction recruitment agency, and online training provider.
The David Caulfield Outstanding Contribution Award is designed to celebrate the achievements of a member of the KBB industry who consistently goes above and beyond for the sector. The award was presented to Simon Acres at the BKU Awards ceremony on Friday 6th June 2025 at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London.
With over 30 years of service to the KBB industry, notably 20 years as Group Sales Director at Omega PLC and 10 years in the role of Retail Corporate Chairman for The Kbsa, Simon founded Simon Acres Group in 2018. Simon established the company to continue supporting the sector with dedicated training and recruitment services, while leading the charge for the next generation. Simon Acres Group has a profound commitment to bridging the skills gap in the KBB industry. A pioneer for change, the group has hosted two Apprenticeships Careers Day events and has created an Apprenticeship & Skills Hub to provide advice and guidance to individuals looking to start their career, as well as businesses looking to navigate the apprenticeship route.
Simon himself has accomplished the title of End Point Assessor with Achieve & Partners, an independent assessor specifically trained to evaluate apprentices in the furniture, wood and merchanting industries. He is also a member of the training and education committee at the Worshipful Furniture Makers Company, a member of the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network (AAN), joined a Department of Education apprenticeship working group, is a board member of The Kitchen Education Trust (TKET) and is also on the advisory board of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI).
In addition, the group is currently working in collaboration with Adroit Services, a family business that specialises in bathroom installation, to document the entire journey of hiring and developing apprentices. The docuseries project is in association with SENSTEC anti-slip shower tray and is spanning over 18 months. Adroit Services has taken on two apprentices, backed by Ideal Standard, and Simon Acres Group is capturing every step in Adroit Services’ real life apprentice journey to create a practical guide to help KBB businesses combat the skills gap and build a stronger workforce for the future.
Simon Acres comments: “I’m ecstatic to have received the David Caulfield Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award. Early on in my career in the KBB industry, I was given training, coaching and support from mentors and colleagues that has stayed with me to this day. More than 31 years later and my passion for training and education remains incredibly strong. Apprenticeships are key to bringing in fresh, diverse talent and, together with my wonderful team, we will continue to spotlight the real impact apprentices can have when given the right support. Thank you to the BKU team and judges for this very much appreciated award.”
The BKU judging panel noted: “A passionate advocate for bridging the skills gap in the KBB industry and leading the charge through innovative apprenticeship initiatives. With decades of experience and involvement in key industry committees, this individual goes beyond recruitment to focus on developing future talent. They’ve hosted national careers events, led educational talks at trade shows, and even pioneered the industry’s first Apprenticeship Swap Day – giving young professionals real-world insights across companies. Their team continues to spotlight apprenticeship success stories to show how accessible and impactful these programs can be.”
Continuing the momentum, Simon Acres Group is sponsoring InstallerFUTURES, which is a dedicated student and apprentice programme at InstallerSHOW that aims to provide a structured and meaningful visit to the show for the next generation. Taking place from 24th to 26th June at the NEC, Birmingham, Simon Acres Group will be available on the InstallerFUTURES stand (4B24) to provide advice and guidance on both apprenticeships and recruitment.
For further information on Simon Acres Group, please call the team on 0203 701 6660, email info@simonacres.co.uk or visit: https://simonacres.co.uk/
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Image captions:
1. Simon Acres has been honoured with The David Caulfield Outstanding Contribution Award at the BKU Awards 2025
2. Ray Isted, Training Specialist, Simon Acres Group, presented Simon Acres with his Outstanding Contribution Award, pictured with host Colin Murray (Left to right: Ray, Simon, Colin)
About Simon Acres Group Limited:
Simon Acres Group is a specialist KBB and construction recruitment agency that strives to make a positive impact by nurturing talent and providing a one-stop solution of comprehensive services for businesses. In 2024, Simon Acres Group acquired Oval Deene Recruitment to strengthen its specialist recruitment services. Beyond this, the group provides accredited online training courses to help businesses thrive, as well as media production, web development and other services to support businesses. Using its experience, knowledge and the diversity of its teams’ skills, Simon Acres Group Limited can add value in recruitment, training and digital media to KBB or merchant companies, offering a range of solutions that support business growth.
For further press information and images please contact:
Hannah at jmm PR
Tel: 01536 414555
Email: hannah@jmmpr.co.uk
10th June 2025
About jmm PR:
jmm PR is an award-winning kitchens and bathrooms PR agency that offers a range of bespoke and innovative marketing services that can make a real difference to your business.
With decades of experience and proven success in raising the profiles and awareness of brands and businesses, jmm PR has extensive public relations and commercial knowledge, which can effectively contribute to the growth of your business. In addition, services include writing press releases, proof reading and copywriting, plus campaign and event support, social media and influencer planning and marketing.
jmm PR offers solutions for businesses of all sizes, including PR packages designed to support SMEs in addition to annual press office management to complement marketing plans of larger organisations.
For more information, please visit the website www.jmmpr.co.uk or contact the team on 01536 414555 or contact@jmmpr.co.uk
