Thirty years of being a ‘driving force behind the scenes’ recognised in award.
The CIOB President’s Award was presented by Mike Foy, CIOB past president, to Chris Richards at last year’s CIOB Awards.
The award is given in recognition of an individual who has made a significant impact on the industry. Richards is a longstanding judge of CIOB awards as well as an honorary life member – awarded for his contribution to the industry.
“The industry knows just how credible and comprehensive our judging process is,” said Foy in his presentation speech. “Judged by leading industry experts and former winners. Each of our judges will spend days visiting the entrants, asking the difficult questions, with the knowledge to know what the right answers are.”
For over 30 years the President’s Medal winner has been a driving force behind the scenes of these great awards. Back when it was Building Manager of the Year, through to Construction Manager of the Year and now CIOB Awards.
‘Boosted careers’
“He has quite simply boosted the careers of hundreds of people who have entered over the years,” said Foy. “Giving them the confidence to progress their own careers in directions they previously wouldn’t have believed was possible. Some have gone on to become judges themselves. In doing so, his work has had a larger impact – it has shown what is possible. It has recognised the best of this industry and encouraged others to join it.”
Foy continued: “He has led the judging process that has scrutinised the people behind some of the biggest projects in the UK, from The Shard in London to the Senedd in Wales and the rebuilding of Windsor Castle, among many, many others.
Billions of pounds’ worth of infrastructure have passed through his oversight during his time.”
Richards has been involved in many areas of the CIOB – including as chair of the Liverpool Centre over 40 years ago – and has many years of real-world construction experience including working for major Liverpool-based contractor Tysons.
Over 40 years of celebration
The CIOB Awards, formerly the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, first started in 1978. They celebrate the individuals behind construction projects of all sizes, including residential buildings as well as those used for education, business, healthcare and leisure.
The awards celebrate the achievements of those who inspire, lead and enable the very best delivery of a project and produce buildings that have a positive impact on those who use them. They embrace the breadth of the construction process, from inception through completion and into reuse, recognising teamwork, clients and new talent in addition to construction managers.
The CIOB Awards evening really is a night to remember. The Construction Manager of the Year Award (CMYA) category is the most prestigious of all. For over 40 years it has shone a spotlight on the most talented construction managers across the UK.
Around 600 guests gathered at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London last year, where awards were presented to more than 20 individuals and organisations responsible for some of the most challenging construction projects including new schools, leisure centres, offices and homes.
For the first time awards were given specifically for sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), reflecting two of the biggest challenges faced by the industry.
To find out when entries open for the 2023 CIOB Awards register your interest at https://form.jotform.com/213555228312046.
