Three UKSTT Members Honoured with Prestigious ISTT Lifetime Service Awards at International Ceremony
Declan Downey, Norman Howell and Russell Fairhurst recognised for outstanding contributions to trenchless technology advancement
VANCOUVER, CANADA – 28th October 2025 – The United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) proudly announces that three of its distinguished members have been awarded the prestigious 2025 International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) Affiliated Society Lifetime Service Award. Dec Downey, Norman Howell, and Russell Fairhurst were recognised for their exceptional dedication and invaluable contributions to advancing trenchless technology throughout their careers.
The awards were presented during the NASTT & ISTT’s NODIG International Event in Vancouver, where UKSTT Chair Graham Howard and ISTT Board Member Ian Ramsay accepted the honours on behalf of the recipients. This remarkable achievement sees all three UKSTT nominees meeting the stringent criteria for this internationally recognised award.
Celebrating Excellence in Trenchless Technology Leadership
The ISTT Affiliated Society Lifetime Service Award was created to honour key individuals who have played vital roles in establishing their respective national and regional societies whilst promoting and advancing trenchless technologies for the public good. Since the mid-to-late 1980s, leaders in the trenchless construction community have worked tirelessly to form these societies, and this award recognises individuals who, upon retirement from active industry participation, leave a lasting legacy.
The 2025 awards recognised five outstanding individuals globally, a testament to the organisation’s commitment to excellence and leadership development within the trenchless technology sector.
“This recognition reflects the exceptional calibre of professionals within UKSTT and their unwavering commitment to advancing our industry,” said UKSTT Chair Graham Howard. “Dec, Norman, and Russell have each contributed significantly to establishing trenchless technology as a preferred solution across numerous applications.”
The three UKSTT recipients join fellow 2025 winners Jens Hoelterhoff from GSTT (Germany) and Jari Kaukonen from FiSTT (Finland), representing a truly international celebration of trenchless technology leadership. Their combined expertise spans decades of innovation, education, and industry development.
