Wolseley plc (Reading, England), parent company of Newport News, VA-based Ferguson, received the award for “Value as a Long-Term Investment” at the 2005 Britain's Most Admired Companies Awards. Group Chief Executive Charlie Banks accepted the award from Lord Michael Heseltine. The Most Admired Companies Awards identify companies in Britain that are highly regarded by peers and rivals in their own industry, recognizing performance over several years.

Wolseley was also recognized as the top scoring company within the Building Materials and Merchants sector.