Shakespeare and the Queen named region’s top construction projects
TWO of the region’s most iconic construction projects of recent years were named joint winners of the top prize at the WMCCE Awards 2011.
In a fiercely contested competition, Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, delivered by Balfour Beatty Construction, and MACE’s transformation of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon were crowned project of the year.
Organised by the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence and hosted at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on Friday evening, the awards recognise the quality and calibre of the region’s top construction businesses.
Judges said they felt the top two projects represented very different types of work, the one “new build”, the other “refurbishment”.
Executive director of WMCCE Phil Wilson said: “Against a tough economic climate, the region’s construction businesses have to deliver significant cost efficiencies while embracing the sustainability agenda.
“I am pleased to say the quality and calibre of this year’s winners and finalists demonstrate that West Midlands’ organisations have the skills, innovation and commitment to overcome these challenges.
“It is important the industry can learn from these exemplar schemes and ensure the best practice demonstrated by our winners becomes common place on building sites across the region and the UK as a whole.”
- Click through to read the full awards shortlist and to enjoy a picture gallery of the 2011 winners.
The winners of all the award categories, listed below, will now go through to the national Constructing Excellence finals where they will compete against champions from other regions.
In addition, Steve Vickers, who recently retired after 42 years with Birmingham City Council, was presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Excellence and Quality Award.
This award is handed out when judges feel a particularly individual merits it and, in Mr Vickers’ case, judges said he had shown “tirelessly” how constructing excellence principles could be applied in his various roles.
Project of the Year Award, Joint Winners
Sponsors: Interserve / Bullock
Balfour Beatty Construction, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Phase 2
MACE, Royal Shakespeare Theatre Transformation, Stratford-upon-Avon (below)
Integration and Collaborative Working Award
Sponsor: Seddon
Morgan Sindall, Worcester University Campus Grade II listed refurbishment
The Legacy Award: Sustainability
Sponsor: Willmott Dixon
John Christophers, Zero Carbon House, Birmingham
SME Award
Sponsor: Stepnell
AM Scaffolding Services
Innovation Award
Sponsor: University of Wolverhampton
Atkins with Birmingham City Council, electric vehicle charging points
Value Award
Sponsor: Rider Levett Bucknall
Willmott Dixon, working with Walsall Council
The Achiever’s Award
Sponsor: G4C
Stephen Massey, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Leadership & People Development Award
Sponsors: FORCE/BBPC/HAWCE/BCCEC
Lend Lease, Birmingham schools
Client of the Year Award
Sponsor: Wates
Birmingham City Council, nominated by GF Tomlinson, Thomas Vale and Wates
- TOMORROW: WMCCE executive director Phil Wilson looks at integration and collaboration in the construction sector.
For more details about all of the WMCCE Awards 2011 winners, click through to download and read our full supplement.
