The first edition of the Hertfordshire Building & Construction Awards showcased success for more than a hundred of the county’s leading individuals and enterprises, as well as raising funds and awareness for those affected by asbestos-related disease.
The ceremonial event, held on 10 February 2017 at the Letchworth Mercure Hall Hotel, celebrated the very best of tradesmen, building, engineering, innovation and construction work, focusing on projects that took place in Hertfordshire during the past 14 months and the staff who worked on them.
The evening also raised awareness for Mesothelioma UK, a charity that supports those suffering from cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.
The event was compered by Formula 1 pundit and presenter David Croft, who lit the stage with his warmth and wit, even managing to persuade a member of the audience to slip into his role as commentator, while old footage of Lewis Hamilton played onscreen.
Hannah Rees, Director of marketing support agency and event organiser AIM, said the awards demonstrated the exceptional work to have taken place in the industry over the last year, in addition to bringing Hertfordshire business leaders together under one roof.
“The inaugural Hertfordshire Building & Construction Awards were a roaring success, and as a project that is close to my heart I am delighted to have been able to recognise excellence in an industry of great importance to this growing county. Hertfordshire business leaders, dignitaries, councils and finalists celebrated an eventful event which included entertainment, industry related video news to award ceremony itself. It was great to feel the energetic atmosphere and watch everyone celebrating the year’s achievements, it generates positive ambition for the year ahead.
“Additionally, what was fantastic was to be able to raise funds and awareness for a cause that cares for this industry and the people who work within it, namely Mesothelioma UK,” said Rees.
“I would also like to thank the award judges Mary Sykes of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce; Jim Davin, CEO of Buildnet; Nilu Bhurj of NKB Virtual Assistant and Alison Nicholl, Associate Director of Building Research Establishment (BRE), as well as our sponsors The Green Triangle, Dignity LC Services, Oaklands College, Broxbourne Council, Carita Services and Mesothelioma UK,” said Rees.
The awards also had support from Hertfordshire LEP, Hertfordshire Constructing Excellence and the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce.
There were winners in 17 categories this year, providing ample opportunities to recognise exceptional achievement in a recent project or individual relating to construction, engineering, design (interior and architecture) and the built environment.
RDT Architects, winner of Architect of the Year and Housing Project of the Year, said the event was a “fabulous night”.
“We were delighted to win ‘Best Housing Project of the Year’ for Gleneagle Manor Apartments, Harpenden and the ‘Architect of the Year’ award which recognised their specialist dementia care design work. It was a fabulous awards night and we look forward to attending next year,” said a spokesman for the company.
Another of the night’s celebrated winners, Asbestosafe, said that to be recognised for its innovation was “icing on the cake” after a night of great company and “superb” food.
“Thank you and looking forward to the next award night already,” said representative for the company.
This year’s full list of winners:
General builder Award: DB Sharp & Sons
Housing Project of the Year: RDT Architects
Highly Commended Award: SEC Interiors
Electrical Contractor of the Year: Parkbrey Ltd.
Women in Engineering Award: Louise Hardy (Sirius Minerals)
Health & Safety Award: Jarvis Contracting
Estate Agency of the Year: Hawk & Chadwick
Property Service Award: DS Property Solutions
Sustainable Build Award: Amcell
Architect of the Year: RDT Architects
Surveyors Award: Terrain Surveys
Training Skills Provider: BRE Academy
Manager of the Year; Mark Garnham of CHQ
Innovation Award: Asbestosafe
Interior design award: CHQ
Contractor of the Year: Conamar
Refurbishment project of the year: DB Sharp & Sons
Entries are for the Hertfordshire Building & Construction Awards will be open 1 st August 2017. For more details please visit www.HertsBuildingAwards.co.uk
