Aqua-Blue Designs is proud to announce a significant achievement at the 2026 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards, organised by SPATA (Swimming Pool & Allied Trade Association) and BISHTA (British & Irish Spa & Hot Tub Association). These awards celebrate the very best in design, technical excellence, and customer service across the UK’s pool and hot tub industry.
The British Pool & Hot Tub Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in the UK’s wet leisure industry. Each year, they honour companies that exemplify exceptional standards, innovative design, and ethical business practices. Winners are selected through a rigorous judging process that evaluates aesthetics, technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction, ensuring that only the most outstanding projects and businesses receive these prestigious accolades.
This year’s ceremony took place on 3 February 2026 during the Industry Gala Evening at the Coventry Building Society Arena, held as part of SPATEX 2026, the UK’s leading trade exhibition for pools, spas, and wellness solutions. The event brought together industry professionals, showcased cutting-edge products, and highlighted trends shaping the future of wet leisure.
Adding to the evening’s prestige, the awards were presented by the Guest of Honour, Anna Hopkin MBE, a recently retired, two-time Olympian and Olympic champion, recognised as one of Great Britain’s top sprint swimmers. She competed at Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024, winning gold and setting a world record in the mixed 4×100m medley relay in Tokyo. A British record holder in the 100m freestyle, she has earned medals at World, European, and Commonwealth Championships, including four gold medals at the 2021 European Championships. Domestically, she won multiple British titles, notably three consecutive 50m freestyle championships. She was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Year Honours for her services to swimming. Her presence and participation as Guest of Honour brought exceptional inspiration and prestige to the celebration, making the awards evening even more special for all in attendance.
SPATA member Aqua-Blue Designs, based in Hampshire, was honoured with the Peter Newbery Award for UK Innovation at the 2026 British Pool & Hot Tubs Awards — a category open to both SPATA and BISHTA members and renowned for its high level of competition.
Motivated by growing concerns about the number of tragic pool entrapment incidents, Aqua-Blue Designs set out to develop a new safety solution from the ground up. The designers consider this to be foolproof as far as it’s possible. The result was the Kormo-safe 800, which the judges praised as an outstanding and innovative response to a serious industry challenge. They unanimously agreed that it is a deserving winner of the 2026 Peter Newbery Award for UK Innovation.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Peter Newbery Award for UK Innovation. This recognition means so much to us because it grew from a very real concern: the tragic and preventable entrapment incidents that continue to affect families. Troubled by these cases, we committed ourselves to creating a solution from the ground up. The result—The Kormo-safe 800—represents years of research, engineering, and a determination to make pools safer for everyone. To have the judges recognise it as a worthy winner is deeply rewarding and reinforces our belief that innovation must always serve a purpose. We are proud to play a part in improving safety across our industry.”
— Michael Cormacey MISPE, S.A.C. Dip. (Eco-Bldg Design), MWMSoc.
Director – Aqua-Blue Designs
Why These Awards Matter
Winning at the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards is more than a trophy; it’s a mark of trust and quality. Each entry undergoes a detailed technical review to ensure compliance with SPATA’s high standards. With 24 categories, the awards showcase the industry’s creativity, technical expertise, and commitment to delivering outstanding customer experiences.
Chris Hayes, Managing Director of SPATA, commented: “The British Pool & Hot Tub Awards highlight the talent and innovation that drive our industry forward. This year’s winners set new benchmarks for quality, sustainability, and technical excellence, values that define the future of wet leisure. Through their membership of SPATA, these companies demonstrate an unwavering commitment to exceptional standards and ethical trading, earning the trust of customers and peers alike.”
The event and awards were supported by leading industry partners, including Adtrak, Alukov, AstralPool UK, Brown & Brown, Certikin, Complete Pool Controls, Dryden Aqua, Fairlocks Pool Products, Heatstar, Hydro Finesse, Jacuzzi, OASE, Plastica, Shiner Marquees, Sprayed Concrete Solutions, Swimming Pool News, and What Pool & Hot Tub magazine—which helped make the event a resounding success, reflecting the collaborative spirit that drives the wet leisure industry forward.
For Aqua-Blue Designs, these awards are a testament to its ongoing commitment to excellence. Whether creating bespoke pool designs or delivering top-tier spa installations, the company remains focused on quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
