Stone and conservation specialist William Anelay Ltd notched up a record year of recognition with 22 national and regional awards in 2013.

The widely acclaimed RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture for Astley Castle (see NSS October 2013) was only one of William Anelay’s victories. From its depots in York and Manchester it also collected the RICS National award for Building Conservation for the Florence Institute in Liverpool and has recently been commended for the Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting for 107 Great Mersey Street. It has also gained recognition in the Historic Houses Association Sotheby’s Restoration Award for its work at Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire.

And it is not just its building work that has been receiving accolades. Site Manager Gary Shea was named Construction Manager of the Year in the restoration category of the Chartered Institute of Building Awards for his work at the Florence Institute in Liverpool. Several of the company’s stonemasons were awarded a craftsmanship team merit award at the York Guild of Building Craftsmanship Awards for their work on the Piazza at York Minster. And two William Anelay apprentices have added to the company’s tally: James Holmes gained the Award as Best First Year Apprentice at York College and Andrew Grimes collected the Trustspan Award for Outstanding Achievement.

William Anelay’s Chairman, Charles Anelay, the eighth generation of his family to be involved in the company, ended the year feeling pretty satisfied with the company’s achievements.

“We are extremely proud of what we have all achieved this year. To be recognised in this way by most of the leading bodies in UK construction speaks volumes for the quality of our craftsmanship and our project management skills that we bring to historic locations across the country,” he said.

“I guess we all like to think we are good but this number of awards in one year does say something pretty special about what we are able to do. Are William Anelay Ltd the best building restoration company in the country? It looks like we might be!

“We are moving forward into 2014 in good health. We have some great new jobs in front of us at some truly landmark locations all over the nation where we will continue to bring our traditional skills and knowledge to bear on everything we undertake.”

William Anelay was established in 1747, making it one of the oldest construction companies in the world. Today, the company employs almost 100 people and has a turnover of £26million.

A full list of the recognition William Anelay achieved in various award schemes in 2013 can be seen on the William Anelay website (address below).