North West Regional Construction Awards 2020 Winners Announced

The University of Salford, Centre for Construction Innovation, warmly welcomed guests from over 100 construction companies. In partnership with Constructing Excellence the NWRCA recognise exceptional companies and projects from across the region that have demonstrated strength, passion and commitment throughout their project delivery in a collaborative and sustainable manner.

The awards celebrate outstanding examples of best practice in the delivery of the homes, workplaces, hospitals, schools, universities and transport infrastructure in the North West. 

Head judge Professor Peter McDermott from the University of Salford said: “In a year that has been especially challenging, these awards recognise and acknowledge the achievements the sector has encountered. It was an honour to chair a panel of distinguished judges and also a very impressive shortlist of initiatives by leading companies and organisations. This year was harder than ever to choose from the fantastic entries as so many have risen and overcome the challenges, they faced. Congratulations to everyone on our shortlist, those who have special commendations and especially all our winners in this extraordinary year.”

Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor of Liverpool opened the awards with a regret that the event was not able to be held as planned at the Titanic Hotel, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Liverpool docklands.  He gave hope that the NW regional and national construction industry could help pave the way for post COVID recovery. For the Liverpool City region, Steve assured the sector that there would be a significant amount of investment made in housing; new train stations; retail & commercial space; and highways infrastructure. Steve also announced “A £190m MMC programme that will develop cutting edge technology to retrofit existing homes and build new homes with new, state-of-the-art, methods of construction.”

Guest speaker, Mark Farmer, Member of Construction Leadership Council Senior Advisory Group, and Hon Professor University of Salford, gave an update on the national picture. Giving an equally positive view of the future of the sector, Mark said “We’ve all known for a long time, we need to do things differently… and we are starting to see the beginning of real change.  The industry has found its voice and a level of unification we have never seen before… we can show people that innovation does not have to be complex…we can do things differently.”

Professor Karl Dayson, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Enterprise at the University of Salford said: “As host and main sponsor of the Awards I was delighted to present the Innovation award.  An innovative construction sector is key to the grand challenges that we are all facing in terms of the immediate recovery from the pandemic and the need to focus clearly on climate change and levelling-up.  These are clearly aligned to the strategic priorities here at the University of Salford.”

Winners from the North West Awards will be put forward to the national Constructing Excellence Awards taking place in early 2021.

The Awards were sponsored by the University, Place North West, PlaceTech, HMS, Clear and Hays Recruitment.