A Hove plumber who helps maintain one of Brighton’s most famous landmarks, the Royal Pavilion, has been recognised as one of the UK’s top plumbing professionals after finishing third in the country’s first-ever Plumber Awards.
Steve Gray, owner of Steve Gray Gas Services Ltd, finished in the top three in The Plumber Awards 2026 after impressing judges with his decades of experience, exceptional customer service and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of workmanship and compliance.
Having already been crowned the best plumber in the South East earlier this year, Steve went on to compete against regional winners from across the UK. Following a rigorous judging process, technical challenge and public vote, he secured his place among the competition’s top three finalists.
From a royal landmark to social care settings
Judges praised Steve’s extensive expertise and dedication to serving both his customers and the wider community. His award-winning entry highlighted his work maintaining plumbing systems at Brighton’s historic Royal Pavilion, helping to preserve and protect one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, as well as his work within a social care property, where he successfully installed and maintained plumbing systems that support residents’ comfort, safety and wellbeing.
Speaking about his achievement, Steve said: “Being part of the awards in its first year, and being named best in the South East, is a real honour. To then be in the top three in the UK is obviously a real highlight! The awards process is thorough and judges look at so many different parts of your work and your business – it’s not an easy award to win. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for me – I had a great time at the event and spent time with many passionate professionals from across the industry. Now it’s back to the day job!”
Laura Mashiter, founder of The Plumber Awards, said: “Steve’s entry stood out because of the breadth of his experience and the positive impact his work has on the people and communities he serves. From helping to maintain an important historic building, to delivering vital plumbing services in social care settings, he consistently demonstrates the skill, professionalism and dedication that define the very best of the industry.”
Setting the benchmark in the awards’ first year
The Plumber Awards was launched this year to celebrate the exceptional skill, professionalism and dedication of plumbers across the UK. The programme was created by the team behind the long-standing Heating Installer Awards, which has spent more than 10 years recognising excellence among heating installers and promoting best practice across the industry.
Designed to shine a spotlight on plumbers who consistently deliver outstanding workmanship and customer service, the free-to-enter awards aim to champion a profession that plays a vital role in keeping homes and businesses running safely and efficiently. Judges commented that the standard of entries in the awards’ inaugural year was exceptionally high, setting a strong benchmark for future competitions.
Celebrated at InstallerSHOW 2026
Steve received his award at InstallerSHOW 2026 at the NEC Birmingham in June, where leading manufacturers, installers and industry professionals gathered to celebrate innovation and excellence across the sector. As one of the competition’s highest-performing entrants, he also received prizes from the awards’ sponsors including CT1, Kingsbridge, Polypipe Building Products, Powered Now, the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering and Refresh.
Could you be one of our 2027 winners?
The search is beginning for the exceptional plumbing professionals who will follow in Steve’s footsteps. The Plumber Awards is free to enter and open to plumbers across the UK who can demonstrate outstanding work, technical skill, problem-solving and customer care.
Pre-register for The Plumber Awards 2027 and put your work forward for national recognition.