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A Wallasey family business has been named Installation Business of the Year at a major national awards ceremony.
Ken Beard & Son LTD, a kitchen and bathroom specialist based in Wallasey Village, won the prestigious honour. They received the award at the 2026 British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS) Awards, held at InstallerSHOW in Birmingham, according to the Wirral Globe.
Plumber Ethan Houghton bagged Young Installer of the Year at the same event. Mr Houghton handles all QETTLE boiling water tap installations alongside his wider plumbing responsibilities.
Director of the company, Malcolm Beard, said in a statement: "To be recognised as Installation Business of the Year is a tremendous honour for our whole team. This award belongs to every member of staff who turns up each day determined to do the very best job for our customers.
He continued, "We've invested heavily in building a skilled, employed team, raising standards and doing things properly, and it's incredibly rewarding to see that recognised nationally."
Mr Beard expressed his pride in Ethan and his career progress, saying he "thoroughly deserves this recognition."
The renovation company was founded in 1976 by Ken Beard and developed from a general building business into a specialist installation business of kitchens and bathrooms.
But that's not where the honours end. The company's business manager, Sarah Brislen, was shortlisted for two honours at the Association for Business Psychology Awards, where the company's use of organisational psychology was recognised. They are also up for the Company Innovation of the Year at the upcoming Construction News Awards.
They are set to launch the KBS Skills Academy Community Interest Company, starting with practical tiling courses before expanding into broader construction training.
Mr Beard said the company is "passionate" about the academy and aims to help those gain practical building skills and create opportunities for construction careers.
