The Chris Bowden Award

Cormac established the ‘Cormac Academy Programme’ in 2023 with the aim to meet the growing need for new entrants to our business with the skills and knowledge to carry out the critical tasks that we undertake in the region.

Initially a combined vision of the Executive Leadership Team and Notter Bridge Training Centre, the programme was designed to meet business needs while offering a structured opportunity for individuals looking to start their career with Cormac. 2024 saw our first cohort successfully complete their programme and they have now moved into permanent roles.

During the development of the programme, our Manager Director Dominic Bostock, suggested that we should include an award within the programme to celebrate the achievement of an outstanding candidate who had undertaken the training, and from this ‘The Chris Bowden Award’ was created. 

Chris Bowden was the manager at Notter Bridge Training Centre for many years and sadly passed away suddenly in June 2023. Chris started his career as a road worker and had undertaken an apprenticeship himself with Derbyshire County Council. He had heard about the opportunity of trainer position at Notter Bridge Training Centre from an advert on a crib room wall, which he applied and was successful in securing. Chris moved with his wife Steph to Cornwall and built a reputation within the training industry throughout the whole country. Chris was a brilliant manager, but also a brilliant man, who always had a passion for educating our road workers (Chris often referred to this as ‘Missionary Work’) until the sad day he was taken from us. Unfortunately, due to the sudden nature of his passing, nobody had the opportunity to say their goodbyes or thank him for his amazing service to Cormac and the wider industry. 

With the blessing of Steph and his family who were delighted to support our plans, ‘The Chris Bowden Award’ was established to continue Chris’s legacy and celebrate his career in supporting individuals to develop their careers.

This year we are delighted to announce that Callum Nancholas was the recipient of the inaugural award. Callum was recognised for his exceptional efforts in mentoring and supporting the whole of the group, while still ensuring that he was successful in his own training. Callum naturally assumed the role of the mentor for the rest of the candidates and often supported them with their development. This role within the group was not requested or anticipated, but Callum embraced this wholeheartedly.

Well done Callum and good luck for the future.