Martin Althorpe, technical director for Epwin Window Systems, has been awarded the British Plastics Federation (BPF)’s prestigious Gold Medal Award for Outstanding Services to the BPF and the wider industry. He is the first representative of the window industry to receive the honour.
The award was presented on 14 October, in front of 440 guests, by Karen Drinkwater, the current BPF’s president, as part of the BPF’s 88th annual dinner. The dinner took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
“I am honoured to receive this award,” said Martin. “The industry has an impressive track record of producing innovations that have changed people’s lives for the better, and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Philip Law, the BPF’s director general, said: “Martin’s award is the result of decades of outstanding and steadfast support for the British Plastics Federation’s windows group, and the wider federation. Martin was the longstanding chair of the BPF Windows Group technical committee, and has since served many years as chair of the whole windows group. These were testing times for the industry, which was the object of unwarranted environmental attacks and was also undergoing a period of rationalisation. Martin’s leadership brought the group through these difficulties intact, and provided a very strong sustainability story.
“Following his longstanding role on the BPF’s council and its strategy and finance committee, Martin was elected as BPF president in 2019, and then served through the most difficult time in the BPF’s history until 2021. Martin’s calm, measured approach to the BPF’s business was an inspiration to the members and staff, in so many of the crisis meetings held. He is uniquely qualified to be the recipient of the BPF’s Gold Medal Award.”
Martin has been technical director at Epwin Window Systems for over 10 years. Clare O’Hara, Epwin’s managing director, added: “We are delighted that Martin has received this award. It’s fitting recognition of his work and commitment throughout the industry.”
The BPF is the world’s longest running plastics trade association. It was established in 1933 and has represented and promoted the UK plastics industry ever since. It has more than 450 member companies that span the entire plastics supply chain.
