This week marks the official launch of the new season of Sussex Heritage Trust Awards, where the region celebrates and recognises the highest standards of excellence in restoration and renovation of heritage buildings, along with design of the heritage of our future in outstanding new builds. In addition, individuals are awarded for outstanding skills in heritage craft skills, lifelong service to the sector, and for the first time this year the Awards will recognise the Apprentice of the Year.
In keeping with the increased importance of the Sussex Heritage Trust’s growing education and training programme across the county, safeguarding heritage construction skills for the future, the Apprentice of the Year Award will highlight the great work of both emerging talent and the companies that support them.
Apprentice of the Year
The new category, developed in partnership with and sponsored by headline sponsor Thakeham, will honour a young apprentice or trainee who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to their craft and made a significant impact within their field.
Sussex Heritage Trust is driven to enhancing the training and development of heritage construction skills in young people, as shown through the development of their Taster Day programme. There the charity works with up to 80 young people from the Chichester College Group each year to train them in traditional and at-risk skills. As such they are delighted to support this initiative proposed by the headline sponsor.
The charity is now calling for entries to celebrate the incredible construction work that has been completed in the last year across Sussex. Last year’s winners include individuals Lukasz Piotrowski for his thatching work and Carl Masters for his stonework and masonry winning the Building Craft Award; The Swan Inn at Fittleworth winning a Commercial Award; with the Brighton Dome and Corn Exchange Improvement works, along with the Lancing College Fives Café winning Public and Community Awards. These are just a few of the incredible examples of the previous winning applicants.
2026 Awards: Key Details
Entries for the 2026 Sussex Heritage Trust Awards are now open, with submissions accepted until Tuesday, 31st March 2026. The Awards feature 12 categories, including Residential; Public and Community; Large, Mid and Small Scale Residential; The Eco Award and Commercial projects, alongside the the newly introduced Young Apprentice Award.
The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony held at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton and Hove, on Thursday, 8th July 2026. Recipients will be presented with a hand-crafted slate plaque by the Trust’s President, The Rt Hon Lord Egremont, recognising their contributions to heritage excellence.
David Cowan, Chairman of Sussex Heritage Trust, said:
“The built and landscape heritage across Sussex is what makes this county so special. Built in amongst the stunning natural backdrop, the historic properties tell the story of our past, and it is the outstanding work of architects, designers, developers and skilled construction workers that ensure they are maintained for the future. Equally we celebrate the design work behind the future’s heritage, encouraging the highest standards in new construction projects, incorporating ecological considerations. We are really excited this year to have a new area of focus, looking at the great work that our young, rising stars are carrying out.”
Robert Boughton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Thakeham, added:
It’s fantastic to support these awards for the second consecutive year, and I’m particularly proud to support the Young Apprentice of the Year category. Encouraging young talent and fostering skills development is at the heart of Thakeham’s commitment to building lasting communities across Sussex and beyond. The Sussex Heritage Trust Awards promote excellence in design and architecture and honour the people preserving trades that would otherwise soon be things of the past, such as flintwork. I’m looking forward to seeing the entries come through – the quality last year was exceptional, and expectations are high for 2026.”
Join the Celebration
Do you have an architectural or landscape project in Sussex worthy of recognition? Could you nominate an individual who inspires through their dedication to heritage? Projects that showcase innovation in sustainability and biodiversity are particularly encouraged to apply.
For more information, including the entry pack and application form, visit www.sussexheritagetrust.org.uk.
Image credit: Victoria Dawe
