EAG Expo ‘26 provided a high-profile platform to recognise and celebrate the people and the businesses that define the industry.
Nine Chairman’s Awards were presented on the show floor by EAG Chairman Nick Harding, with recipients drawn from across the land-based sector.
Two of the awards were made posthumously, honouring the exceptional contributions of two much-respected industry figures. These recognised the late Derek Horwood, Chairman of United Distributing Company (UDC), who passed away in July 2025 aged 92, and Paul Williams, founder of Sega Amusements International. Paul, an internationally recognised and highly respected industry leader, died in October 2025 following a period of illness.
Explaining the purpose behind the Awards, Nick Harding said: “EAG is the natural meeting place for our industry, which makes it the ideal event at which to recognise the outstanding businesses and personalities who contribute so much and help make the sector so unique.
“EAG is widely acknowledged as the event where the industry comes together, where operators identify emerging trends, and where exhibitors choose to launch their latest income-generating products across every sector and category. I also want it to be recognised as the place where the industry comes together to celebrate its achievements.”
Reflecting on this year’s recipients, Harding added: “Researching the 2026 award winners really shone a light on some truly remarkable individuals and businesses. It was a genuine honour to meet Gareth Cammack and his family, whose business, Jackson’s of Mablethorpe, has been trading for more than a century. Another family business, Dransfields, will celebrate its 80th anniversary in May. Few sectors can boast that kind of longevity and resilience.”
He continued: “It’s often said that people enter the amusements and gaming industry without realising just how much they will enjoy it and that many go on to spend a lifetime in the business. This year’s Chairman’s Awards recognise three long-serving individuals: Liam Barrett, marking 25 years of service, and Darell Webb and Quentin Stott, each with 40 years in the industry.”
Harding also highlighted the industry’s wider social contribution: “We should never overlook those organisations and individuals whose work extends beyond our sector. MERKUR UK’s social purpose initiative has supported an incredible 200 charities and good causes across the country, while Chris Black of Sound Leisure has supported British businesses through his role as a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion.”
He concluded: “There is no doubt that ours is a truly wonderful industry and one that fully deserves to be celebrated.
Nick Harding said……. “EAG is the natural meeting place for our industry, which makes it the ideal event at which to recognise the outstanding businesses and personalities who contribute so much and help make the sector so unique……
Derek’s life was defined by a deep dedication to the amusements sector. He worked first alongside his father Ralph at Chicago Automatics, and later with son Mark when the formed UDC, Derek played an instrumental role in shaping the company into one of the industry’s leading names in amusement machine distribution.
Derek was not only a business leader but also a mentor to many and a cherished figure within the community he helped build. His passing was felt deeply across the sector world-wide, especially by those who had the privilege to work alongside him over the decades.
Derek will be remembered as the true gentleman and scholar that he was.
Accepting the honour Mark Horwood said: “Derek was given an award by Bacta many years ago in Blackpool. In his acceptance speech he said that “to be recognised by one’s peers was perhaps the greatest compliment of all”.
“I think he would have felt the same about getting the EAG Award. On a personal level I don’t think you can underestimate the importance this show has been to the whole Horwood family over decades – a show that Derek visited as both man and boy.
“ The entire week in January was blocked out for the show, life went on hold and this continued for Derek’s entire life and for his entire family. The show was a major part of Derek’s life and I think he would have been deeply touched by this recognition.”
Gareth Cammack who is the fourth generation to run Jacksons commented: “It was an honour to receive the award at EAG not just for me personally but for the three generations prior, It is testament to a century of hard graft and dedication. It was also special to have our children in attendance so they – the next generation could appreciate that in this industry hard work and commitment doesn’t go unrecognised. I believe it is important to recognise industry achievements from every sector: we are a community and for most people it’s a way of life. Our award has taken pride of place in my office at home.”
“40 years is a serious shift, and the great thing is I still enjoy it as much as I did when I first started back in 1985. Apart from realising that it’s at the absolute discretion of the government that either helps or hinders the state of the industry, my other core reflection is our industry is full of nice, extremely hard-working people who live and breathe the business and have the tenacity and conviction to keep battling for better change in order to secure the long-term survival of their companies and the wider industry.
It’s an absolute honour to have received the award and what a wonderful thing for the EAG Chairman to do. In 2025, Reflex was presented for an award in recognition of 20 years of continuous support of the EAG show, which was fantastic in itself, but to receive such personal recognition this year was very touching. This award has pride of place on the mantelpiece in my study at home.”
Since its launch, the MERKUR Community programme which is jointly funded by MERKUR UK and the generosity of its high street customers, has supported over 300 community groups and charities across the UK.
In 2025 alone, which was a record year for the social impact scheme, over £200,000 of support was donated to 150 organisations many of which rely on the generosity of the private sector to continue to support local communities. Good causes to have received support from MERKUR UK and its customers include The Hull Zingari Cricket Club, MK Food Bank, Nova Sports Wheelchair Basketball Club, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Brain Tumour Research and the Momentum charity which supports families whose children are facing life-challenging conditions.
“I was delighted and a little surprised to receive this Award on the busy show floor at EAG. On a personal level it genuinely means an awful lot to be recognised in this way. My colleagues were as shocked and surprised as I was seeing nobody knew anything about it – unusually for the industry it remained a well-kept secret! The EAG Award has rightly taken pride of place at home!
Commenting on the Award, Dransfields Managing Director Chris Haley said: “I was delighted to receive the Award from EAG in recognition of Dransfields long established role in the industry. We think Dransfields is probably the oldest single site operating company and celebrates its 80th birthday in May! I think it is very important that EAG uses the opportunity to recognise significant milestones and achievements. The exhibition is a great forum to use, with the majority of the industry attending on at least one of the three days.”
In terms of highlights and contributions Chris added:” I like to think that Dransfields has punched above its weight as a family business and nearly everybody I meet in the industry has a Dransfields story or connection that they love to share with me – good and bad!
Significant contributions that spring to mind include the introduction of the Nudge feature on analogue machines, beating HM Revenue and Customs at a VAT Tribunal which led to significant refunds of VAT and AMLD to clubs, working with club organisations to introduce the B3a Category of machine into the Gambling Act 2005, helping clubs with “Linneweber VAT claim” refunds, being one of the first operators to pioneer digital gaming machines in single sites, advocating on behalf of clubs with politicians, assisting HMRC with the design and implementation of MGD, contributing to stakes and prizes reviews, responding to Gambling Commission consultations, The list goes on!”
“It was a lovely surprise to receive the award from Nick. I have grown up in the industry, celebrating 40-years in June, to be recognised by the trade for the promotion of our Jukeboxes, the industry and the UK region around the world was very humbling. I am immensely proud of how British Manufacturing, our jukeboxes and the industry is perceived around the world, notably for innovation and heritage. UK PLC carries so much kudos on the international stage and we need to keep shouting about it from the roof tops! I believe that it is vitally important to recognise and celebrate achievements and landmarks. Although this industry is based on people having fun, it can sometimes be a hard one to work in due to government legislation, tariffs and policies that add additional complexities to the day-to-day pressure. Recognition of long standing and key players that have contributed to the continued success and innovation of our industry should be rightly championed.”
Paul was a globally known and highly respected figure in the amusement industry, and the driving force behind the company he led for more than two decades.
Reflecting on the honour Justin Burke, Chief Operating Officer at Sega Amusements International said: “When I first found out that Paul was getting an award I was so touched, as were the whole team here at Sega. The thoughtfulness was so appreciated. Paul would have been very humble, as the man was, and very grateful. As the first UK event since Paul passed EAG was the perfect opportunity to present this award.”
“I was really chuffed to be recognised for my contribution to the industry. Pool sometimes seems to be ever the bridesmaid and never the bride so it’s great to think people out there know me and what I have been championing for so many years. The SAM team has all been very complimentary, although some seemed surprised that I could be so old! The EAG Award now resides on the mantelpiece. I haven’t got enough to warrant a display case!”
Originally published on Coinslot on February 2, 2026. Republished with permission.