LONDON: There were 53 diplomas awarded by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers at its Awards presentations late last year. This was the highest number ever awarded and, said president Andrew Hall, "there were some impressive candidates to applaud".

The Pinnacle Award, sponsored by Assa Abloy was won by Claire Furness of Jackson Building Centres. "This was particularly noteworthy since she followed directly in the footsteps of her husband, David, who won the Pinnacle Ward in 2008," Mr Hall commented.

“The Pinnacle Award is part of the GAI's ongoing commitment to excellence in education and training in the architectural ironmongery trade. It is won by the student who gains the best aggregate score over three years of the education programme and, as such, is a just reward for the best all-round achiever in the industry,” he explained.

The event featured Alistair Campbell, the brash former director of communications and strategy to Prime Minister Tony Blair – a role he held from 1997 to 2003.