Winners 2024

Access & Scaffolding Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • Chris Sedgeman Scaffolding

The judges were impressed as this was a complex and technically challenging project. The panel felt our winners exuded pride, knowledge and passion which clearly runs through the core of the business. The success that they have achieved has been built on the foundations developing and investing in their workforce and systems including a new training centre and interactive training tools. They are clearly invested in leaving a positive legacy in their community and industry. Great job!

Finalists:

  • Allied Access 
  • Connolly Scaffolding  
  • GKR Scaffolding  

Apprentice of the Year


Winner:

  • Lauren Peynado - RGE Services

Lauren demonstrated strong personal values such as family and, community, driving changes in diversity within the organisation. She was particularly strong in her commitment to professional development overcoming personal and workplace challenges. Lauren showed real pride and potential for becoming a role model for women and young mothers entering and progressing within the industry. Through meticulous organisation and a passion to learn she has demonstrated unrivalled commitment and dedication to all her customers within the local community. Well done, Lauren!

Finalists:

  • Jack Brown Brown & Mason Group
  • Grace Dixon-Lever - Dalkia Engineering
  • Kayleigh Gerritty - Brown & Mason Group
  • Gary Hall - Dalkia Engineering
  • Ben Hamlin - BES
  • Oisin Knox - Fife Council Environment & Building Services
  • Nadya Rakhtopol - Dalkia Engineering
  • Katie Rothery - Trinity Surfacing

Demolition & Enabling Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • John F Hunt

The judges said that John F Hunt is operating at cutting edge of industry sector with a very impressive technical ability on highly complex projects and has a 'best in class' approach to training, health and safety and process improvement. Great work!


Highly Commended:

  • Cognition Land and Water

Finalists:

  • Brown & Mason Group
  • Erith Contractors  
  • Hughes and Salvidge

Digital Construction Excellence

Winner:

  • Houston Cox Central - The Houston Cox H&S App

The judges were impressed with their dedication and commitments to develop the innovative bespoke enterprise digital system, which has allowed them to connect their workforce and operational functions in real time. This is a true example of using the digital technology meeting the operational needs as well as supporting and connecting their workforce. What an innovation!


Highly Commended:

  • Blackwell Earthmoving - Driving Digital Transformation in Earthworks: Blackwell's Success Story

Finalists:

  • A&B Engineering Celebrating Digital Innovations: A&B Engineering's Trailblazing Journey in Specialized Construction Excellence
  • BES - Digital construction program to boost productivity and deliver fast-track solutions for pharmaceutical and biotech facilities
  • Blackwell Earthmoving - Driving Digital Transformation in Earthworks: Blackwell's Success Story
  • ODGroup - ODGroup’s Digital Transformation
  • PCE  -  Harnessing the Power of Digital Construction

Equipment Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • Think Hire

The judges were impressed by Think Hire’s commitment to developing off grid power solutions and innovative products that are changing the industry. The high levels of customer satisfaction achieved by the company and their commitment to future development stood out. The panel felt this was a step change in renewable solutions across the construction industry. Keep up the good work!

Finalists:

  • Advanté 
  • AFI-Rentals  
  • George Roberts (North West)
  • Groundforce
  • John F Hunt Plant Hire
  • MGF  
  • Siltbuster
  • Speedy Hire

Excellence in Social Value

Winner:

  • Progressive Roofing & Cladding - Apprenticeship Scheme

Progressive Roofing & Cladding identified a gap in their sector’s needs and took proactive steps to change the industry approach to training. They are enabling & investing in young people, creating the next generation of roofers & cladders. The judges were impressed by how Progressive roofing promoted social value in the community by supporting schools, charities, Hospitals and local projects. Social Value is embedded within the company culture. Well done!

Finalists:

  • Align JV Pumpkin's Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre
  • Cara Group - Building Futures and empowering Communities
  • Eos Surveyors  - Inspire and Nurture
  • Gallaway Construction - The three elements
  • Heidelberg Materials UK  - Heidelberg Materials and Chapter One Collaboration
  • Jerram Falkus Construction - Where's My Boozer Gone?

Fit Out Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • DBSJ

DBSJ stood out for the passion and pride for the business and their team, including the supply chain. The judges were impressed with the firm’s demonstration that it is possible to balance responsible supply chain management with exceptional delivery. Their passion and commitment to quality to delivering a high quality socially responsible product whilst maintaining a family business approach was very impressive.

Finalists:

  • Houston Cox Central  
  • Mivan  
  • Norwood  

Health, Safety and Wellbeing Excellence

Winner:

  • John F Hunt - Health and safety innovation as a core value

The judges said John F Hunt showed a great use of innovation using AI to engage with all staff and the supply chain, to provide training and up to date briefings or incident information. They are an industry driver in standards for setting up the Asbestos working group. The panel felt that the winner’s submission demonstrated that they have continued to reset the benchmarks for health and safety in this category. A worthy winner!

Finalists:

  • Danny Sullivan Group Culture Code and Smile 360
  • Erith Contractors -  Experience the Exceptional
  • Hi-Tech Property Services - Health & Safety Compliance Initiative
  • Houston Cox Central - Innovating to Achieve H&S Excellence
  • Joseph Gallagher Group - Living Incident Free Everyday (LIFE)
  • MGF - Embedding a safety culture at every level
  • United Living Connected (Formerly Great British Communications) - Zero Harm “Don’t walk by”


Category sponsored by: 

Innovation of the Year (Contractor)

Winner:

  • Seaway7 - Application of an Innovative Installation Technique for Suction Caissons of Offshore Wind Turbine Generators Supported by Jackets

The judges were unanimous and agreed that this was a real example of innovation, and one which has significantly contributed to the industry. The company has pushed boundaries, with risk-based decision making, which has disrupted the industry in general. They have rewritten the standard. A tough one to beat.

Finalists:

  • GMI Construction Group Project data
  • McGee - St John’s Wood Square Advanced Temporary Works Solution
  • VKE Contractors - Angel Square - Reduced Vibration Drill Rig

MEP Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • GBE Services London

The judges were impressed by a very clear overall grasp of the criteria for this award and GBE’s strategy came across very well. It was a very easy to understand and well executed approach using pre-fabrication, pre-construction engineering and a groundbreaking AI system that looks to shape the future of construction. This clarity on strategy and innovation demonstrated above set them apart from the competition. Impressive stuff!

Finalists:

  • Nugent  
  • Okto Technologies  
  • ROCMEP


Category sponsored by: 

MMC Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • TopHat

The judges were impressed by the automation in the factory, their knowledge of the scheme when questioned about specific technical details, the challenges overcome and the strong sustainability credentials. The attention given to creating a sense of place and preserving the heritage of the site, using a truly innovative, waste-reducing and cost-effective 3D-printed brick solution was impressive. Great work!

Finalists:

  • Alexander James Contracts
  • Algeco  
  • Boutique Modern
  • Evolution Home and Leisure - Matrix Structures  
  • Innovare Offsite    
  • Zed Pods  

Outstanding Contribution to Specialist Construction

Winner:

  • Gap Hire Solutions - Revolutionising Construction Dewatering: Gap Hire Solutions' Unified Approach

The judges were impressed with Gap Hire Solutions’ sustainability and environmental focus with their innovative solution. This saw the end to end integration of standalone services into a single combined, transparent and controlled system. Providing traceability for scope 1&2 and relieving the pressures on national infrastructure were also praised by the judges. The panel felt that Gap Hire were passionate about their unique approach and clearly demonstrated the quality and impact on our industry.

Finalists:

  • Core Recruiter - Kelly Cartwright
  • Okto Technologies - Using MMC Mirror Build at The Peninsula London
  • Progressive Roofing & Cladding - Apprentice Scheme
  • Spadeoak  - Delivering 186 Tennis Court Refurbishment Projects for the LTA
  • Wade Construction Management Consultants - Changing Our Culture
  • Xylotek - Advanced Timber Structures -  Advancing the use of Timber in Construction

Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability

Winner:

  • McGee - Committed to engineering a carbon future

The judges said they found it encouraging to witness a company embracing the reuse of a modular, multi-use temporary façade retention system and praised McGee for going above and beyond to add anti-idling plan solutions and low carbon plant. This serves as a compelling example to the UK construction sector, illustrating what can be achieved when a company commits itself wholeheartedly to a goal. Well done team!


Highly Commended:

  • John F Hunt - Commitment to long term decarbonisation

Finalists:

  • Blackwell Earthmoving - Anti-Idle Initiative  
  • Canary Wharf Contractors - Recycled Aggregate  
  • Cognition Land and Water - Barking Power Limited Gas Pipeline Decommissioning
  • Milbank Concrete Products - A reduction in Scope 1&2 CO2 emissions by over 50%
  • Sapphire Balconies  - Data Led Sustainability reductions
  • Zero Marine Services - Zero Emissions Working Over Water Marine Service

Product Innovation of the Year (Non-Contractor)

Winner:

  • Adaptavate - Breathaboard

The judges felt the Adaptavate was truly reflective of an 'industrial business of the future' and with a clear roadmap for growth and industry transformation. The wide-ranging collaboration and research process across different organisations was very impressive. The ambition to solve a genuinely global-scale problem in the construction industry - not just by reducing carbon impacts but becoming carbon negative - showed true ambition. A fantastic entry presented very well, by a clearly passionate presenter who had personally led the innovation and the company. Great work!

Finalists:

  • Advanced Cold-Formed Sections & Ward Williams Associates - Solar Tree
  • Brilliant Ideas - Alimats and Half-Loader Spreader Module
  • Brilliant Ideas - Safety Net Recovery System
  • Eliminox - Clean Air and Building Site Decarbonisation
  • Globalerp - Micro Electrostatic precipitation - Filter for HVAC
  • Polypipe Building Services - Fresh thinking helps support more straightforward drainage stack projects
  • Torrent Water Management - TORiser - Lightweight Seating Ring System

Project of the Year by a Specialist Contractor (subcontract from £2m to £5m)

Winner:

  • Netzero Facades - Aurora - Glasgow's Most Sustainable Office

Aurora was an important project which truly demonstrated the value brought by a specialist contractor. The judges were impressed with the technical expertise that the contractor was able to offer to provide an optimum solution to the client. This included reuse of 95% of the existing stone facade, with none of the removed materials going to landfill. The panel felt our winners clearly demonstrated innovative solutions in order to deliver an exemplar project.

Finalists:

  • Core Drilling Specialists - Tunnel Vision
  • DBSJ - The Engine Room at Battersea Power Station
  • Erith Contractors  - Holborn Viaduct
  • Inspire Contract Services  - Lloyds of London
  • Land & Water Services - Queen Pool Lake Restoration

Project of the Year by a Specialist Contractor (subcontract over £5m)

Winner:

  • Seaway7 - Innovative Suction Caisson Technology for Renewable Energy

The project showcases technical excellence in a challenging environment, pioneering renewable energy technologies and setting new industry standards. With strong partnerships and a focus on sustainability, the team's dedication and problem-solving have left a lasting legacy, inspiring future specialists while overcoming significant logistical challenges. Great stuff all round!

Highly Commended:

  • John F Hunt - The Other House Demolition and RC core works

Finalists:

  • Cognition Land and Water  - Sheppey Regeneration
  • Dalkia Engineering - The Paterson Building Redevelopment creating a world leading cancer research facility
  • Erith Contractors - Timber Square
  • GKR Scaffolding - 25 Canada Square
  • John F Hunt  - One Liverpool Street Phase 1
  • PCE - HMP Millsike

Project of the Year by a Specialist Contractor (subcontract up to £2m)

Winner:

  • Zed Pods - St Andrews House

The judges said that the Zed Pods presentation was excellent, rich in content, and supported by strong evidence. It clearly demonstrated innovation, social value, environmental impact, productivity, customer satisfaction, and future opportunities. The implementation of the Prisoner Building Homes program was exceptional, with a zero-re-offending rate. The aftercare for residents using smart building technology was also impressive.

Finalists: 

  • Eden Facades - Enhanced quality of life for social housing community
  • Geobear & Blackett-Ord Conservation  - Shildon Coal Drops Heritage Rail site stabilisation and asset protection
  • Hughes and Salvidge - Deeside Power Station
  • Ivor King  - Stephenson Street Flood Defence Project, Newport
  • Mabey Hire  - Engineering against time: Lifting Nuneham Viaduct
  • T&T Facades - Axe Street, Barking. Making homes Fire-safe and Compliant
  • Wade Construction Management Consultants  - New Partnership Horizons

Rising Star

Winner:

  • Daniel Bartos - Indevor Bonds and Guarantees

Daniel has built a company and a team. He has shown he is using apprenticeships, building a dynamic team. He has shown humility and maturity in his development. The judges were mostly impressed with the number of underwriters Daniel has brought to the road and sewer bonds market and his progression in such a short period of time. Great job Daniel!

Finalists:

  • Sammie Chia -  Collins Construction
  • Alison Cormack - Jerram Falkus Construction
  • Tom Egerton - Indevor Bonds and Guarantees
  • Carly Hughes - Immerse Safety
  • Rikki Isgar - Brown & Mason Group
  • Amber Tomkinson  - Indevor Bonds and Guarantees

Specialist Contractor of the Year (turnover over £25m)

Winner:

  • McGee

McGee ticked all the boxes for a large specialist contractor. They had controlled growth, clear aims and impressive projects. They were committed to innovation throughout the lifecycle of their projects from concept design to adaptation of plant and equipment for installation. They had an excellent 360-degree improvement process. The judges were also impressed by their fair payment practices. Keep up the good work! 

Finalists:

  • Cognition Land and Water 
  • Kilnbridge 
  • SES Engineering Services
  • Statom Group

Specialist Contractor of the Year (turnover up to £25m)

Winner:

  • Metek

The judges were glad to see a strong family ethos, deeply investing in both manufacturing and advanced technology. Metek’s commitment to continuous business improvement is evident, especially in their innovative use of laser technology to significantly reduce errors, which was highly regarded. This approach not only enhances precision but also underscores their dedication to quality and efficiency in their operations. Congratulations!

Finalists:

  • Briggs & Forrester  Special Projects
  • Geo Green Power
  • Precision Facades
  • Zed Pods

Steel Specialist of the Year

Winner:

  • ACS Stainless Steel Fixings

Judges were particularly impressed with the collaborative approach with their supply chain, which has resulted in innovative results to reduce waste and carbon, whilst improving construction programmes. Their achievement of Science Based Targets for sustainability is industry leading. A very comprehensive submission.

Finalists:

  • J&D Pierce Contracts
  • Metek

Technology Innovation of the Year (Non-Contractor)

Winner:

  • Radius Group - Skyline Cockpit

The judges were impressed with the approach to innovation which was cleared stated by Radius Group as "changing and adapting for the better before being forced to" this approach has created remote operated cranes driven from the ground in comfort and enhanced with augmented reality technology to improve productivity and safety features. The judges felt they clearly demonstrated the care and concern for crane operators' wellbeing through innovation and technology; the human factor clinched the win.

Finalists:

  • Advanté - Oasis Vision Solar
  • Groundforce - YourSolution+
  • Kope - Your platform for Offsite construction
  • Method Grid - The Digital PACE Framework with Network Rail
  • Qualis Flow - Decarbonising Construction in the UK
  • Queenswood Engagement - HS2 Phase One
  • Spinview UK - Innovative Digital Twin Visual Intelligence delivers savings, efficiency, safety and sustainability for Transport for London

Training Excellence

Winner:

  • L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage

The judges were unanimous in their decision to award Lynch the Training Excellence Award. Lynch's objective to drive positive change in the construction industry through influencing industry standards, enhanced qualifications and wider employment initiatives is highly commendable. The Judges were particularly impressed with their passion to collaborate for the good of the whole industry and society not just for their own business needs. Great work!

Finalists:

  • Cara Group
  • Danny Sullivan Group
  • Hercules Site Services
  • McGee