A former second generation owner of Foleys, Mr Foley (80) was ‘‘absolutely blown away’’ to receive the honour at a function in Dunedin.
He received the honour from his son, Craig, who is the national chairman of Master Plumbers.
Brian Foley had previously served on the Masters Plumbers national executive for 20 years, also as national president (1996-97), and is a life member of the organisation’s Otago branch.
Mr Foley, who still works part-time, said the national body had only six surviving life members and he felt ‘‘pretty lucky to be one of them’’.
Mr Foley’s award had been due to be announced earlier at the Master Plumbers national conference, but this was cancelled because of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Foleys is the biggest plumbing firm in Dunedin and employs more than 220 staff in total around the South Island and in Palmerston North.
