Shelforce and Howard Trotter recognised with award win

Shelforce, and its Business Manager Howard Trotter, have been named winner of the Workplace Champion award at the 2026 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards, which is said to recognise the company’s outstanding commitment to inclusive employment, opportunity and workplace culture.

The Birmingham City Council-owned manufacturer of windows, doors and fire doors for local authority building projects and social housing was one of eight finalists in the category.

For Howard, the award reflects the dedication and character of the entire Shelforce workforce.

“This award belongs to the team,” said Howard. “People often say they couldn’t have achieved something without the people around them, and in this case that really is true. The team represent everything Shelforce stands for and they are the reason we have won this award. They are genuine workplace champions, and every member of staff plays a huge part in the success of Shelforce.”

Shelforce employs 31 people, with 75% of the workforce having a physical or learning disability. Under Howard’s leadership, the company has continued to create opportunities through skills development, progression and inclusive recruitment initiatives.

The GBCC Awards hold special significance for Shelforce after the company won the Excellence for People Development award in 2021 before being named overall Greater Birmingham Business of the Year.

“The GBCC Awards mean a great deal to us,” said Howard. “We are proud to be a Birmingham business. Our team live here, their families are here and we have worked on projects across the city for many years. Birmingham means an awful lot to all of us, so any recognition within Birmingham is fantastic.”

For more information on Shelforce, visit: www.shelforce.com