Member Article

Cream of region's construction firms honoured

The North East’s top construction firms have been honoured at the tenth Constructing Excellence North East (CENE) Awards last week.

More than 500 industry professionals were present at the ceremony which recognised individuals and organisations across 12 categories, including: Integration and Collaborative Working, Leadership and People Development, Sustainability, Innovation, Value, Health and Safety, Heritage as well as Young Achiever, Achiever, SME, Client and Project of the Year.

Catriona Lingwood, chief executive of CENE, said: “Every year I am impressed with the quality of work individuals and organisations produce in our region. This year was no exception, if anything, the general standard was even higher.

“These awards showcase only the very best and they continue to set the benchmark for the rest of the industry. All those recognised on the night should be exceptionally proud of their achievements.”

Each category winner will join the other regional winners at the national final in London in November, giving them an opportunity to receive further recognition on a national level.

Ian Storer, director of Corepeople Recruitment, headline sponsor of the awards for the fourth year running, added: “It was great to see so many people turn out to celebrate what is good about the construction industry in the North East.

“Events like this are important; we get so bogged down in our day-to-day lives that it’s easy to ignore the good that is going on in our region. It’s only right that we stop and celebrate their achievements– congratulations to all those recognised.”

John McGovern, head of Investment Delivery at Northumbrian Water and Chairman of CENE, said: “Our awards have grown significantly over the years and are very important to us as an organisation.

“Our mission is to deliver improved industry performance resulting in a demonstrably better-built environment in the region. All of our entrants have all shown their commitment to this cause and we celebrate our winners as shining examples of best practice. Well done to all those concerned.”

Guests at this year’s awards also enjoyed a raffle to support local charity Calvert Trust Kielder. Prizes included a stay in an Alnmouth holiday cottage, a hamper filled with North East goodies donated by Muckle LLP and a four ball at Slaley Hall

Donated by Elliot Associates. A total of £4,070 was raised on the night, with an additional £1,000 match funded by Barclays.

Calvert Trust Kielder enables disabled people to achieve their potential through the challenge of outdoor adventure. CEO Peter Cockerill was delighted with the outcome and thanked guests for their generosity and support.

Peter said: “We help disabled adults and children, together with their family, friends and carers so a lot of people will benefit from this. The support of local people and businesses is invaluable to us and our guests so we really are very grateful.”

The 2014 winners, highly commended and commended list is as follows:

Young Achiever – G4C

Winner – Richard Marsden

Highly Commended – Alison Mee

Integration & Collaborative Working

Winner - Catalyst Research Laboratory and Office Facility

Leadership & People Development

Winner - Gus Robinson Developments

Highly Commended - Gentoo – PV Programme

Heritage

Winner - The Black Barn, Heather Thatch

Highly Commended - Restoration and Conservation of The Smithy, Hetton le Hole

Commended - Avondale House, Byker Community Trust

Health & Safety

Winner - Narec – Project Fujin

The Legacy – Sustainability

Winner - Avondale House, Byker Community Trust

Highly Commended - Esh Winning and Brandon Primary Schools, County Durham

Innovation

Winner - Plan B

Value

Winner - St Benedict’s Hospice

Highly Commended – The Gateway, Middlehaven - Neuro Rehabilitation Centre with

Community Hub & Transitional Housing

SME

Winner (1-50 employees) – Gradon Architecture

Winner (51-250 employees) – Gus Robinson Developments

Highly Commended – Identity Consult

Achiever of the Year

Winner – Pauline Vipond

Client of the Year

Winner – Newcastle College

Project of the Year

Winner - St Benedict’s Hospice

Highly Commended – Newcastle Sixth Form College

Commended - The Gateway Neuro Rehabilitation Centre with Community Hub &

Transitional Housing

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .