National painting contractor, Bagnalls, has received a prestigious Princess Royal Training Award for its long-standing Painting and Decorating Apprentice Programme. The win comes during an important year for the painting and decorating company, as it celebrates 150 years of highly successful operation within the industry.

Formally approved by HRH The Princess Royal, the Princess Royal Training Award is bestowed upon training programmes that demonstrate exceptional commitment to learning and development. The aim is to champion a training community that provides a shining example of the transformative impact of training on people, performance and the success of an organisation as a whole.

The awards, offered in line with the City & Guilds’ core values, recognise that quality training is the investment that provides a positive return time and time again, impacting not only individual businesses themselves but also society as a whole.

As President of the City & Guilds of London Institute, HRH The Princess Royal awards employers for their efforts and celebrates best-in-class training. Speaking to Kirstie Donnelly MBE, Chief Executive of City & Guilds, HRH The Princess Royal has previously discussed the importance of the creation of aspirations for young people and how this relates to the awards set up in her name.

The honour of being selected as one of the 57 exceptional training programmes recognised by HRH Anne, Princess Royal, is extremely significant. The chosen programmes can feel an extra layer of pride this year, as 2025 marks not only the 10th anniversary of the awards themselves, but also HRH The Princess Royal’s 75th birthday.

Bagnalls’ HR Director, Ellie Jobes, commented:

“It’s an incredible honour to be selected for a Princess Royal Training Award. We’re very proud of our apprenticeship scheme, and it’s wonderful to receive such a high level of recognition for the work we’re doing to nurture young talent in our industry.

“The assessment process for this award was rigorous, involving interviews with current and past apprentices. Achieving this title would not have been possible without the talent, dedication and care of everyone within the Bagnalls family who helps train and develop our brilliant apprentices."

“We’ll definitely be taking a moment as a team to celebrate and take pride in our win. It’s an especially powerful endorsement of our impact in the apprentice and training space.”

Huge congratulations are in order for all the 2025 recipients of this highly notable award. The full list of all companies recognised can be found on the Princess Royal Training Awards website.