Bagnalls of Bradford wins Excellence in Training Award

Bagnalls, which was established in 1875, was chosen as winner of the Bradford College-sponsored Excellence in Training Award over other nominees Anchor and Don Whitley Scientific at the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards on Friday night at the Cedar Court Hotel.

The company specialises in commercial and industrial painting and decorating within the construction industry and employs around 630 people.

“It is fantastic (to win the award),” said Ellie Jobes Bagnalls HR Director.

“It is such lovely recognition for our apprenticeship programme and the training of our employees.

“Training and education is absolutely vital to continue growing our business.

“It is an industry where there are a lot of painters and decorators who are approaching retirement so if we don’t bring people in at the younger end to train them then the business would simply not exist.

“We have an obligation to our business but also to the industry in general.”

The company is always thinking forward and has 82 apprentices, nine of which have been hired by its Bradford offices since 2022.

Two of the firm’s board of directors started their career as apprentice painters, including Lee Jeyes who managed the Shipley branch before being promoted to director.

The business offers plenty of in-house training, including its three-year management trainee scheme, that was set up in 1991.

Ellie added: “We have a lot of people who stay at Bagnalls for a long time.

“We have people who start as apprentices and move up to be supervisors, managers, and even directors. That only works when people are mentored correctly by their manager.

“We are very proud to be a family-run business in Bradford.

“We have been in Bradford for nearly 150 years. We have always been here.

“We have just moved offices but we have retained our Bradford postcode.

“It is fantastic to have such diversity in the city which is starting to be reflected within the apprenticeship community as well.”