Gold Award Winner: Dean Williams, Kier Construction
Project: Singleton Hospital, Swansea
Scope: Replacement of front facade, completed in 155 weeks
Client: Swansea Bay University Health Board/Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe
Value: £11m
Dean Williams was brought in as operational lead two-thirds of the way through the project, bringing a fresh approach to phased facade replacement. Drawing on lessons learned on previous phases, Williams maintained the design aesthetic while firmly focusing on project delivery, budget and quality.
The sheer size of the facade required a complex and repetitive process of ward relocations to allow asbestos removal, demolition of the original facade and installation of new cladding and windows.
Other finalists
Gareth Drake MCIOB Tilbury Douglas
Wayne Fleet Barnes Construction
Andy Gray MCIOB Willmott Dixon Interiors
Matthew Keen BAM Construct UK
Williams tackled a two-week delay by resequencing the external works, synchronising the scaffolding and hoist dismantling with the ongoing permanent works, to get back on track.
He delivered sizeable cost savings by challenging the sequencing and methodology of work for a neonatal ward. Time savings were made by replacing a brise soleil with specialised window film that was more effective in reducing solar heat gain and glare while also improving end-user privacy.
Ongoing quality issues with previous phases were eliminated by Williams’ introduction of a simple inspection and snagging protocol to allow a no-defect handover.
This award recognises Williams’ calm leadership style, which brought an increased urgency to day-to-day tasks, while re-energising the site team and focusing attention on quality and delivery. Collaborative and proactive, Williams delivered the project on time.
Silver Award Winner: Steve Musson, Kier Construction
Project: Lowther Road Integrated Community Mental Health Facility, Islington, London
Scope: Construction of four-storey block, completed in 86 weeks
Client: Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust
Value: £18m
This constrained site faced locational challenges, including the need to gain oversail agreement from neighbouring properties for a tower crane. Scaffolding had to be installed over adjacent buildings to construct the facade, and noise and disruption from demolition of the existing facility had to be minimised.
Project manager Steve Musson was the main point of contact for neighbourhood liaison. Deliveries were restricted to working hours, and the community was kept up-to-date with monthly paper and e-newsletters.
Musson gained stakeholder buy-in through early mock-ups, samples and visuals. His early planning for a new substation de-risked the scheme. He put in deeper foundations to support the crane and scaffold, increasing the upper floors loading capacity and expanding site storage on a tight footprint. His robust inspection, testing and snagging regime delivered quality results.
