Kier Construction’s Joe O’Connell MCIOB has been named Construction Manager of the Year at the CIOB Awards, which recognised more than 20 individuals and teams from across the industry.
TV and radio personality Anita Rani presented the awards at a black-tie event in London last night (28 September).
The CIOB presented the awards in front of around 600 guests at the Grosvenor Hotel in the capital. More than 20 individuals and organisations won recognition for their roles in some of the most challenging construction projects, ranging from new schools, leisure centres, offices and homes.
Sustainability and ED&I awards
For the first time awards were also given specifically for sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), reflecting two of the biggest challenges currently facing the construction industry.
The most coveted award of the night, Construction Manager of the Year, was presented to Joe O’Connell MCIOB for his work on Exeter’s St Sidwell’s Point Leisure Centre.
O’Connell was chosen following his management of the £44m project, which opened in April this year and was the first ultra-low carbon leisure centre in the UK. Its design means its energy costs are around 70% less than a more traditional leisure centre. The CIOB judges singled out O’Connell for his management of the large-scale project in a challenging city centre location.
O’Connell said: “It’s a privilege to have been shortlisted for the award, let alone win it, and it’s all very unexpected. To have your professionalism recognised by other professionals from within your industry means a great deal and an award from CIOB is something to be really proud of.”
Award winners
The other winners on the night were:
- Rising Star – Sophie Leake
- EDI individual – Rebecca Lovelace
- EDI company – St Mowden
- Client Award – Sheffield Hallam Uni
- Sustainability – Caron Johnson
- Team Award – Kier
- CMYA Healthcare Gold – Daryl Parker
- CMYA Healthcare Silver – Matt Davies
- CMYA Higher Education Gold – Christopher Purchase
- CMYA Higher Education Silver – Matthew Friedmann
- CMYA Junior/Primary School Gold – Amy Griffiths
- CMYA Junior/Primary School Silver – Adrian Mills
- CMYA Office Gold – Connor O’Keeffe
- CMYA Office Silver – John McCarthy
- CMYA Public and Leisure Gold – Joe O’Connell
- CMYA Public and Leisure Silver – Colin Tilley
- CMYA Refurb and Restoration Gold – Bill Taylor
- CMYA Refurb and Restoration Silver – Francisco Javier Fernandez Nuevo
- CMYA Residential and Accommodation Gold – Stephen Pedro
- CMYA Residential and Accommodation Silver – Kevin Larkin
- CMYA Secondary Schools Gold – Ed Dwight
- CMYA Secondary Schools Silver – Mark Turner
The CIOB Awards, formerly the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, first started in 1978 and celebrate the individuals behind construction projects of all sizes. They include residential buildings as well as those used for education, business, healthcare and leisure. They have provided a springboard for many careers with winners going on to work on iconic landmarks like Canary Wharf and The Shard.
Caroline Gumble, CEO at CIOB, said: “The range of talent on display at this year’s awards has been truly inspirational and it’s wonderful to see so many examples of leadership and a focus on delivering a high-quality built environment. Our congratulations go to all our winners who are making a difference to others within the built environment sector and the communities they build for.”
