Winners Announced at the Inaugural UK Location Managers Awards 2025

The very first UK Location Managers Awards celebrated the unsung heroes who shape the visual identity of film, TV and commercials at a sold-out ceremony at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. Hosted by award-winning comedian and podcaster Adam Rowe, the evening honoured outstanding achievements by location professionals and teams across the UK screen industry.

Our congratulations go to all award winners - and we'd like to give special mention to PGGB Member Christian McWilliams, winner of the Michael Harm Supervising Location Manager Award, which was presented by fellow PGGB Members Philippa Naughten and Asha Sharma.

Also celebrated during the evening were Emily Turnbull, who was honoured with the Andrew Bainbridge Rising Star Award, and Simon Crook received the Neil Grigson Studio Unit Manager Award, which was presented by PGGB Member Mally Chung. Ian Pollington and his team were named winners of the Liverpool Film Office Location Department Award, and Martin Walker received the Andre St John Unit Manager Award. John Friend Newman was recognised with the Fred Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by PGGB Member Sue Quinn.
 

2025 WINNERS

• Michael Harm Supervising Location Manager Award, Sponsored by Location Collective & OMA Studio Group

Winner: Christian McWilliams

Presented by: Philippa Naughten & Asha Sharma

For exemplary leadership balancing creative vision with logistics, budget and on-set problem-solving.

• Andrew Bainbridge Rising Star Award, Sponsored by CrewHQ & Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden

Winner: Emily Turnbull

Presented by: Rico Sinclair-Johnson

Spotlighting outstanding emerging talent in locations.

• Neil Grigson Studio Unit Manager Award, Sponsored by Inkerman London

Winner: Simon Crook

Presented by: Mally Chung

Celebrating behind-the-scenes leaders who keep productions running safely and smoothly.

• Liverpool Film Office Location Department Award, Sponsored by Boomerang Carnet MEDIA

Winner: Ian Pollington & Team — Slow Horses

Recognising a department that exemplifies excellence and collaboration.

Presented by: Lady Derby

• Andre St John Unit Manager Award, Sponsored by Location Secure & Fstop Location Secure

Winner: Martin Walker

Presented by: Richy Ruck

• Fred Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by PHOLEX POWER

Winner: John Friend Newman

Presented by: Sue Quinn

Georgette Turner, Producer and Volunteer Event Chair: "Our aim was to shine a light on the extraordinary contribution of location professionals — the ones who turn creative vision into reality. The response from across the industry has been overwhelming, and the award winners reflect the depth of talent, innovation and passion driving UK production forward.”

Lynn Saunders, Head of Liverpool Film Office, said: “We’re incredibly proud that Liverpool was chosen to host the inaugural Location Managers Awards UK. Our city has been the backdrop to some of the world’s biggest productions, and the event celebrated the people who make that possible — the location managers and teams whose creativity and dedication turn every corner of the UK into a film set.”

A landmark night for UK location professionals, founded by a volunteer committee to elevate the profile of the UK’s location community, the UK Location Managers Awards celebrate location managers, scouts, studio managers and unit managers—the people who turn creative visions into real, filmable worlds. The inaugural ceremony took place at the historic St George’s Hall, a Grade I listed venue that has itself starred in productions from Peaky Blinders to The Batman.