Brian Norton, of specialist coating manufacturer Indestructible Paints, has been awarded the British Coatings Federation (BCF) Silver Medal in recognition of his longstanding service to the coatings industry.

Indestructible Paints was founded in 1978 by Brian's father, Doug Norton, and the company soon became involved with the Paintmakers' Association, one of the organisations that later formed today's British Coatings Federation.

In 1990, Brian joined the company and continued the close association as the business grew.

Over the years Brian has contributed to a wide range of BCF groups and committees, particularly the Aerospace and Defence Committee Group, where Indestructible Paints remains actively involved.

He also served as a non-executive director of the Federation in the early 2000s and has supported the BCF’s work across key member forums covering issues such as health and safety, operations, transport and general industrial coatings.

Throughout his career, Brian has championed both the role of SMEs and the importance of the coatings sector more broadly.

His involvement in industry advocacy included visits to Downing Street in 2013 and the Houses of Parliament in 2019 to help promote the value of paint and coatings to the wider economy.

He has also highlighted the importance of skills and training, including making use of BCF support on apprenticeships, and has remained a strong supporter of the Federation’s growing role in representing and promoting the industry.

Brian said: “I was genuinely shocked and very honoured to receive the BCF Silver Medal.

“Indestructible Paints has had a long association with the Federation, going back to my father’s involvement when the company was founded, and it has been a pleasure to maintain that connection over so many years.

“The BCF has grown enormously in stature and capability and continues to do vital work promoting the value of paint and coatings, which are essential to almost every part of industry and business.

“I am grateful for the support, friendship and collaboration I have experienced through the Federation over the years.”