Lewis Howard is on a hot streak – and he’s hoping that he’ll have something to celebrate later this week after being shortlisted for a national award.

Lewis, 30, a director of Stevenage-based C&J Heating and Plumbing, has reached the final three in the Tradesperson of the Year category of the Nectar Small Business of the Year Awards.

Earlier this year C & J were named Stevenage’s Business of the Year at the FSB Herts Awards.

And Lewis has his fingers crossed as he hopes to take an award which includes a cash prize, business promotion and the chance to attend a round table event with Dragons’ Den star Sarah Willingham when the winner is announced on Thursday.

Lewis said: “I am delighted to get recognition for what we are doing with C&J Heating and Plumbing and to be considered among the best in the country.

“It gives me great pride to represent a business from Stevenage at such a prestigious awards.

“We are working hard to change the industry by offering a different way of doing business, an improved customer experience and the use of ground-breaking ideas such as smart technology.

“For many people the plumbing and heating industry is something which is stuck in the past and I am proud we are leading our industry to a new way of operating.”

Along with dad Nigel, who is also a director of the Julians Road-based firm, Lewis has seen the business grow to boast an annual turnover of nearly £3 million, with more than 50 employees.

Lewis said: “It’s vital we are positioned where we are. We are an SME and that means we have a bigger workforce so are more adaptable than a sole trader, but also can take a more personal approach with our customers than the bigger operators.”

Lewis is fast earning an enviable reputation in the trade, having been asked to sit on the British Standards Institute’s committee for domestic boilers in the UK, and also been appointed this year to the Eastern Counties Board of the Federation of Master Builders.

Stevenage MP Stephen McPartland said: “It is fantastic to see the achievement of local firms being recognised through national awards, and I congratulate Lewis on his success in reaching the final stages.

“The great majority of businesses in Stevenage are small, locally run firms, and this is another result of the hub of industry and commerce that Stevenage is becoming.”