Shortlisted rising stars

• Ettan Bazil, Help me Fix
• Dan Hale, Ian Williams Limited
• Karl Lukeman, Lukeman Electrical Ltd
• Ben Hutchings-Mitchell, Snowik

What makes these people a rising star?

Ettan’s experience as a gas engineer and plumber of the inefficiencies in traditional repairs and the challenges tradespeople face in physically demanding roles, drove him to create a better way by founding Help me Fix. This platform uses video triage and AI to remotely address repairs, allowing semi-retired tradespeople to continue working without being "on the tools." Since then, Ettan has used the extensive expertise of Help me Fix’s network to train AI models to deliver this knowledge at scale, providing a powerful response to the trade skills shortage. By capturing and digitising the problem-solving skills of seasoned engineers, his solution not only meets repair needs more effectively but also supports a sustainable workforce by enabling tradespeople to extend their careers in a flexible, meaningful way. This AI-driven model also transforms the environmental footprint of property maintenance. By resolving issues remotely, it significantly reduces the need for vehicle call-outs, reducing carbon emissions. The platform’s capacity to diagnose, de-escalate, and resolve issues at scale is not only a leap forward in efficiency but a model of sustainability in action. His vision combines practical experience with advanced technology to address pressing challenges in both workforce and environmental sustainability. Through Help me Fix, Ettan has built a solution that empowers people, preserves industry knowledge, and promotes eco-conscious practices, marking a transformative step in the future of property maintenance.

Dan’s strong planned maintenance background, starting as a Document Controller and then a Resident Liaison Officer before moving to site management, provided varied experiences which he uses to maximise the development of others. He joined Ian Williams in May 2021 as a Contract Manager at its Plymouth Office, quickly becoming its local lead (and in-house expert) for social housing decarbonisation projects across Devon and Cornwall. He brought a wealth of experience from previous projects, including a groundbreaking ‘Energiesprong’ net zero pilot scheme for Exeter City Council and a real passion for developing green skills within the industry. He stands out as a Rising Star through his commitment to developing his own learning and skills, completing his NVQ Level 7 in Construction Senior Management (July 2024) to maximise his understanding of the Building Safety Act requirements. He also achieved MCIOB and completed IOSH Level 3.

Karl, director Lukeman Electrical, is truly a rising star in the electrical industry, first because of his innovative approach to electrical solutions, setting a new standard within the sector. At just 32 years old, he has demonstrated remarkable leadership skills, guiding a dedicated team of over 25 professionals who share his passion for excellence. Completing over 3000 EICRs and regeneration works annually. Karl's vision extends beyond mere compliance; he strives to implement cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to enhance safety and promote energy efficiency. He is committed to community engagement, understanding the significance of providing quality electrical services in underserved areas and working to uplift local communities. In summary, Karl embodies the qualities of a rising star—vision, innovation, leadership, and community focus.

Ben is a rising star at Snowik because since owning his own small business, he has brought on 25 of the top 100 estate agents in London within 4 months and is assisting the company so that it aims to new yearly goals with new business growth and to develop existing clients.

What impact have they had on the organisation or sector?

Ettan has had a profound impact on the property maintenance sector by transforming how repairs are managed in social housing and beyond. Help me Fix addresses long-standing industry challenges like the shortage of skilled tradespeople, rising operational costs, and sustainable practices. His model enables semi-retired tradespeople to offer their expertise remotely, handling diagnostics, troubleshooting, and even guiding residents through minor repairs remotely. It helps housing providers keep skilled labour in the sector longer, bridging the skills gap and supporting consistent service quality for residents. By resolving repairs remotely, cutting thousands of vehicle call-outs, it has saved an estimated 145-153 kg of CO₂/client/yr. Customer experience has improved considerably with a 4.5/5 satisfaction rating and a better service.

Dan has driven forward Ian Williams’ decarbonisation competences, being instrumental in enhancing its ISO9001:2015 processes for net zero projects to ensure legislative and PAS 2035 compliance. He coaches other offices to grow green skills, such as, supporting its Bristol Office to co-deliver its first retrofit project for LiveWest, resulting in a further two projects. He made its in-house Academy aware of a nationally funded Level 2 Domestic Retrofit qualification running locally. He is a powerful advocate for women in construction, driving its sponsorship of West Country Women’s Awards 2023 and 2024, and partnered with Plymouth-based charity, Gifted Women. Dan spotted St Germans, Cornwall community group (his hometown) was fighting for a new playpark in 2022, and he took charge, joined the parish council to spearhead the campaign, leading from inception to completion to obtain £85,000 funding.

Karl and Lukeman Electrical have made a profound positive impact on local authorities through their exceptional execution of EICRs, upgrade works, and sustainable initiatives. Their commitment to safety and compliance ensures local facilities meet/exceed regulatory standards. Conducting thorough EICRs, identified and addressed potential hazards, significantly reducing the risk of electrical failures, enhances safety for all, preventing costly emergencies and promoting trust. Upgrade works have modernized aging electrical systems, improving energy efficiency and performance by integrating the latest technologies. They advocate eco-friendly solutions, paving the way for a more sustainable future and creating greener communities. They set a benchmark for excellence in the industry.

Ben - Snowik believes that its success is driven by the dedication and talent of its people, and Ben is the perfect example of that, implementing new client portals to improve client experience, adding Out of hours services to increase revenue, improve margins throughout working days for emergency services to super prime key clients.

Why do they deserve to win this award?

Ettan deserves this award because he has reimagined property maintenance with a solution that addresses some of the sector’s biggest challenges—labour shortages, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. He has identified critical gaps in traditional repairs and developed an innovative response through Help me Fix, combining remote diagnostics, AI, and semi-retired tradespeople’s expertise. It alleviates the strain on housing providers and empowers experienced engineers to keep working in flexible, impactful roles and combats the skills crisis by using seasoned professionals’ knowledge to train AI to deliver this at scale. It also minimises vehicle call-outs, making a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. Finally, Ettan’s commitment to exceptional customer service is demonstrated by how Help me Fix has transformed the tenant experience, providing a quicker, more reliable way to resolve issues, with a high satisfaction rating proving its effectiveness. His work exemplifies what the award stands for: impactful, forward-thinking solutions driving meaningful change across an entire sector.

Dan’s involvement in retrofit projects and growing the green skills (and confidence) of Ian Williams’ workforce exceeded their expectations. At a recent Inside Housing’s ‘Retrofit and Strategic Asset Management Summit’, he shared learning with their senior management team to better support the Government’s Net Zero objectives. His colleagues confirm the impact he has made, such as his adept people skills, inspiring people to do the right thing, treating everyone fairly yet holding them accountable to improve the team’s culture. He considers everything and everyone when planning and delivering retrofit projects, and is passionate to provide a great service for residents.

Karl, at just 32 years old, is a young director, who has cultivated a dynamic team of over 25 passionate individuals dedicated to raising electrical standards in the sector. Karl has an unwavering commitment to excellence so that, under his leadership, this team transforms challenges into opportunities, consistently pushing boundaries of what is possible. His vision is more than achieving high standards; it fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and integrity in every project. His relentless passion for creating safe, efficient, and sustainable electrical solutions is inspiring. He believes everyone deserves quality living conditions, and he drives his team to ensure these standards are met with precision and care. His work is not just about the technical aspects; it’s about making a tangible difference in people’s lives. Karl embodies the spirit of a true rising star, bold, dedicated, and visionary.

Ben has truly earned his place at Snowik by bringing a positive impact to the company and reassurance for clients knowing they are dealing with a partner who understands the industry. He is an expert in business retention proven over his years of business and senior management.

What do you see them contributing in the future?

Ettan’s commitment to exceptional customer service has transformed the tenant experience, providing a quicker, more reliable way to resolve issues, with a high satisfaction rating to prove its effectiveness. Ettan is committed to continuously improving Help me Fix (rare blend of practical industry experience, technological innovation, and genuine care for both people and the planet), which will keep improving the sector’s repairs service while allowing semi-retired tradespeople to contribute their expertise to alleviate the skills shortage.

Dan’s enthusiasm, dedication and pro-active attitude, will see him continuing to add real value to Ian Williams, the sector, and local communities. Dan will be pivotal in supporting, coaching, and mentoring local teams to have the right green skills in place to grow their capacity and capability to deliver social housing retrofit projects. He creates a safe working environment and encourages colleagues to step outside of their comfort zones, fundamental to learning new skills and gain experience for net zero projects. Personally, he aspires to further develop his green skills, recently enrolling for a Retrofit Co-ordinator qualification. Dan also wants to continue advocating gender equality where male involvement is key to changing mindsets, being pivotal in making Gifted Women the Plymouth Office’s nominated charity in 2024 with its local team raising £3,000. He wants to continue local employability workshops to support women from multiple disadvantaged background access the work, including planned maintenance. Ian Williams consider him an asset to our organisation.

Karl and Lukeman Electrical have the potential to introduce several innovative ideas and strategies that could greatly benefit local authorities, such as Smart Grid Technology to help local authorities optimize energy distribution and consumption. Sustainable Energy Solutions enable the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, into local authority projects, significantly reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy independence. Energy Management Systems using advanced energy management software to assist local authorities in tracking energy usage, identifying inefficiency, and implementing targeted improvements. A data-driven approach improving resource allocation and cost savings. Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure to cater for growth in electric vehicles become more prevalent, which Karl could help establish comprehensive charging networks in local authorities. In addition, he is developing Community Engagement Programs to raise awareness of energy efficiency, sustainability, and safety. Predictive Maintenance Solutions to utilize IoT technology, offering predictive maintenance services and enabling early detection of potential electrical issues to minimize downtime and extend the lifespan of electrical systems, significantly enhances operational efficiency, sustainability, and overall well-being of local authorities and their communities.

Ben’s plan with the directors is to increase the yearly turnover 3 times by implementing online portals, out of hours services and bringing on 150 key b2b clients/year (already exceeding).