ASFP wins duo of accolades at Trade Association Forum Awards 2025

The Association’s managing director Mike Ward received the Outstanding Contribution Award. Ward was praised for his forward-thinking leadership, inclusive approach, genuine commitment to innovation and dedication to developing and mentoring his team.

The award recognises Ward’s role in growing the ASFP and improving member engagement. It highlights the Association’s continuous commitment to excellence, underpinned by Ward’s own exemplary guidance and dedication to building a safer future for all.

The award also celebrates Ward’s role in managing the Association’s move to its own office for the first time in its history, his efforts to unite diverse perspectives within the construction and fire safety sectors through engagement with key stakeholders (including Building Control officers, fire engineers and manufacturers) and his pivotal role in supporting the establishment of the Passive Fire Knowledge Group.

Joint recognition

The Best Association/Supplier Partnership of the Year was awarded to ASFP and Milford & Marah in recognition of their work on the definition, management and development of competence within the passive fire protection sector.

Together, the ASFP and Milford & Marah have worked with industry to put in place clear benchmarks for competence in passive fire protection design and specification, sales and distribution, as well as installation. Work continues to create benchmarks in other areas and deliver methods for individuals to engage with these frameworks.

Through this partnership, the ASFP has influenced the development of other competence structures and processes, such as the Industry Competence Steering Group. Sharing its expertise with other sector bodies, professional organisations and regulatory committees, the ASFP is now seen as a key thought leader and has been instrumental in raising standards across the built environment.

Milford & Marah has also worked with the ASFP internally, improving knowledge and understanding of competence and linking existing and emerging offerings back to the Association’s strategy.

Improving services

Commenting on these accolades, the ASFP’s operations director Nadine Saxon declared: “We are delighted to have won these prestigious awards, which clearly recognise the ASFP’s commitment to improving services and increasing our value to the membership, while raising competency levels across the construction and passive fire protection sectors.”

Saxon continued: “I’m thrilled that Mike’s vision, dedication and enthusiasm have been recognised. Mike’s strong and collaborative leadership style, commitment to improving the safety of the built environment and dedication to his team and the ASFP is clear for all to see. Mike has championed innovative initiatives that have led to rapid growth for the Association, while improving our member services and raising standards across the passive fire protection sector as a whole.”

Further, Saxon noted: “A core component of the ASFP’s strategy has been the development of competency benchmarks for the passive fire protection sector. We’re delighted to see our partnership-working with Milford & Marah celebrated with an award. Milford & Marah has played a pivotal role in raising the Association’s profile in this area and developing it into a key player in the development and management of competence.”