Lead contracting industry presents its annual Murdoch Awards

The Murdoch Awards have long been recognised as a symbol of excellence for those engaged in the leadwork industry, and the awards ceremony continues to be a highlight of the leadwork sector’s calendar.

Without a doubt, every passing year poses a greater challenge for the judging panel tasked with selecting the recipient of one of the prestigious awards. Members submit only their finest projects for entry, making the competition extremely fierce. Considering that, it becomes easy to understand why winning a Murdoch Award is regarded as the ultimate accolade for any lead craftsperson.

Since its inception in 1996, 12 years after the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) itself was founded, the standard of entries to the Murdoch Awards continues to impress. In this, the 40th anniversary of the LCA, the quality of submissions has remained exceptional.

This year’s award ceremony was held in Warwickshire in September, and was the finale to a successful and engaging technical seminar, where a record number of participants came together to stay informed on the latest industry developments, listen to insights from important partners and connect with peers.

A highlight of any seminar programme is the presentations and keynote speakers, and this year’s event was no exception. The packed programme offered delegates an impressive line-up of industry titans, who shared their expertise on a range of topics. They included contract law by Holmes & Hills Solicitors, training by Denise Cherry and captivating case studies of projects in England (Architectural Lead & Metalwork Ltd) and abroad (Groupe BALAS on Notre Dame de Paris), as well as insightful workshops led by prominent figures such as PREFA UK, Velux Rooflights, Nicholson Roof Products, VM Building Solutions and the LSTA. The fact that speakers of that calibre willingly volunteer their time to share their expertise with peers speaks to their passion for the industry.

Following the seminar, guests connected at a reception with drinks and enjoyed dinner. The event culminated in an esteemed awards ceremony celebrating outstanding achievements in the industry.

Presenting the awards, LCA chairman Alasdair White welcomed the new format of the event and looked forward to building on the strong legacy.

Murdoch Award

The Murdoch Award 2024 was sponsored by Sand Cast Lead Conservation Ltd and the winning project was the Manor House (pictured left) by Jackson + Dix Roofing Ltd.

The project on the Manor House near Wells was completed in February. The team undertook the entire roofing package, including bespoke designs for the fully-leaded dormers and a distinctive hipped feature roof. The project required around 20 tonnes of lead, with all leadwork completed in accordance with LCA specifications, using Codes 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 lead. They employed various lead details, such as flat and pitched lead bays and welted lead cladding.

The other Murdoch Award 2024 finalists were King’s College by Norfolk Sheet Lead Ltd and a building of historic significance by A R Lead Specialist Ltd.

The King’s College project involved reroofing the main chapel and south side aisle, replacing deteriorated leadwork and addressing inadequate ventilation and corrosion issues. The entire roof needed to be removed, recast and re-laid. Both sections featured vented eaves, complex guttering, abutment flashings and preparation for solar array installation.

The A R Lead Specialist Ltd project involved installing new leadwork on the roof of an annex of a building that holds historical significance. The flat roof was covered using Code 8 lead, with the sand side facing up.

The Murdoch Sponsors Award 2024 winner was NRA Roofing & Flooring Services Ltd for Liverpool UniversityMurdoch Sponsors Award

Next came the Murdoch Sponsors Award 2024, sponsored by Midland Lead Ltd. That category is for a project of excellence of under five tonnes, for instance a bay window or small flat roof, in lead installed with skill and technical precision. The winner was NRA Roofing & Flooring Services Ltd for Liverpool University.

The existing lead canopy had failed; and to address that the upper tier gutter was removed, redirecting water forward to a lower tier with new lead bays, flashing and improved ventilation. The lower tier was fitted with a traditional external Code 7 lead gutter system, resolving previous drainage issues, and ventilation was added via soffit vents. Mop rolls were extended and a copper drip was installed. A lead downpipe and hopper were added for easy maintenance.

The other Murdoch Sponsors Award 2024 finalists were Greyfriars Roofing Ltd for Craighead Farm and Sussex Leadcraft Ltd for Peele Boarding House.

Completed in autumn 2023, the Craighead Farm project was for a private client who wanted a beautiful new lead roof for their summer house that would complement their walled ornamental garden. It was completed using Code 5 and Code 6 lead.

Some fine detailed work was carried out on the shallow pitched roof at Peele Boarding House in Horsham, using Code 8 milled lead and Code 6 on the lead flashings.

Murdoch Ornamental Award

The Murdoch Ornamental Award 2024, sponsored by Ecobat, is a category for an outstanding project of excellence in lead using molding, casting or bossing skills – for instance a statue, fountain or roof decoration – demonstrating innovation in design and construction. The winner was Lead It Be Ltd for Skinners Hall.

The project involved the restoration of existing 245-year-old pipes and hoppers, during which 5mm stainless-steel fixing plates wrapped in Code 8 lead were used to form stronger fixing ears. Sand casting, along with CNC CAD-designed casting blocks, was used to produce semi-circular astragals. Offsets were formed by grinding 45° angles on joints and welding areas to build up lead to form new joints, while eliminating any weld beads on show.

The other Murdoch Ornamental Award 2024 finalists were Architectural Lead & Metalwork Ltd for Hadley Lodge and Lead-Tech Roofing Ltd for Sackville Street.

At Hadley Lodge lead rainwater pipes and hoppers were installed above the canopies at both the east and west entrances. At the client’s request, the team designed and manufactured the rainwater pipes to follow the curvature of the lead canopies below, ensuring a seamless and visually cohesive design.

On Sackville Street a decorative lead stair runner was installed onto internal stairs based on an existing design concept found in nearby Albany Apartments.

Murdoch Contractor of the Year Award

Representing installers who uphold the highest standards and workmanship values, the LCA maintains an uncompromising attitude toward quality.

To further encourage and celebrate excellence in the industry, the LCA presented the fourth and newest category to the Murdoch Awards: the Contractor of the Year Award 2024, sponsored by Central Milled Lead Ltd.

It is an award that considers all the attributes expected from a lead contractor, whatever the size of the company. The winner was AR Lead Specialist Ltd, with the other finalists being NRA Roofing & Flooring Services Ltd and Lead It Be Ltd.

As the independent guardian of the lead industry standards, the LCA represents the ‘Mark of Quality’, supplying technical information and services to support the industry and drive up standards.

Entries for the 2025 Murdoch Awards are now open. Once submitted, entries will undergo a vetting process and then will be selected for consideration. Regardless of company size or history, LCA members can submit their projects to the LCA Murdoch Awards Committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Projects may be submitted by LCA members only.