A host of figures in construction have been honoured for their achievements and services in the first King’s New Year Honours List.
Founder of construction firm Robertson Group, William Robertson, has been awarded a knighthood for services to the construction industry and to charity in Scotland.
The Robertson Group is a family-owned Scottish firm that last year reported a £588m turnover in the 12 months to 30 June 2021, and profit before tax of £16.9m.
A number of charities across the UK have been supported by the Robertson Group, including Friends of Anchor, which helps people with cancer and blood disorders, mental health charity Mikeysline, and L’Arche Highland, which helps to promote inclusion of people with learning disabilities.
Giving back
Robertson said: “This recognition is beyond anything I could have imagined when I founded what has become Robertson Group in my home town of Elgin in 1966. I am proud that we retain a strong presence there and continue to play an active role in the local business community.
“The charity work that I undertake has always been about giving back to those who need support and is usually done quietly and under the radar, so I am deeply touched to be recognised for my contribution to charity as well as the construction industry.”
Professor David Mosey at King’s College London has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
At King’s, Mosey leads a research team that last year produced the first Integrated Information Management Contract, designed to improve the use of BIM, and the report Procuring Net Zero Construction.
Mosey is a former director of the Centre of Construction Law and Dispute Resolution (2013 to 2020) and partner at law firm Trowers & Hamlins (1991 to 2013), where he was head of projects and construction.
In 2021 Mosey lead the Independent Review of Public Sector Construction Frameworks and his report, Constructing the Gold Standard, made recommendations for frameworks, framework contracts and action plans to deliver value, efficiency, safety and net-zero carbon.
Co-author
Mosey co-authored new Guidance on Collaborative Procurement for Design and Construction to Support Building Safety, designed to avoid another Grenfell Tower disaster. He is principal author of the PPC2000 collaborative contract and of the FAC-1 and TAC-1 alliance contracts, adopted so far on procurements worth more than £100bn.
He said: “I am very grateful to the construction industry and its clients for supporting my research into the collaborative delivery of improved value, reduced risks and net-zero carbon.
“The construction sector makes enormous contributions to our society when its specialists share their knowledge through a strategic approach to procurement and contracting.”
Terry Stocks, director, UK head of public sector and education, at engineering project management consultancy Faithful+Gould, has been awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to construction innovation. Faithful+Gould is a subsidiary of infrastructure group Atkins.
Stocks wrote on his LinkedIn page that he felt “really privileged” to be honoured, and added: “I have been lucky to work for some great organisations, the Ministry of Justice and F+G/Atkins and great people (too many to mention).
“I have always worked to try and make a difference, so to be recognised is a high point. I intend to carry on, more of the same. Working with excellent people to deliver excellent outcomes is very contagious.”
Services to construction equipment
Former Construction Equipment Association (CEA) chief Rob Oliver, who retired from the role in 2021, has been awarded an MBE for his services to the construction equipment manufacturing sector.
Oliver is an executive director of Construction Equipment Events Ltd (CEE) which he helped establish, as well as developing the concept for the new Futureworx show and conference for construction innovation held in March.
Oliver helped to develop the Cesar Scheme that marks and registers plant equipment for security as well as registering emissions compliance verification. The CEA established the Rob Oliver Award in 2021, which recognises proactive police forces fighting construction and agricultural plant theft.
Oliver said: “What a nice surprise to kick off 2023. It has been a privilege to work with both paid officials and volunteers for the CEA on the various projects we undertook over the years – and great credit should go to them.
“In my career, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with senior people in a number of industries which has given me a ringside seat to the workings of British and international business. However, I am still looking forward, including offering a great showcase for construction equipment innovation and technology at Plantworx 2023.”
Academic acknowledged
In addition, principle and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, Professor Peter Mathieson, has been given a knighthood for services to higher education. One of his achievements highlighted was the establishment of the university’s Data Driven Innovation (DDI) initiative, credited with helping create more than 1,100 jobs in construction and start-ups.
Dr Martin Read has been awarded a knighthood for his services to industry and for public and voluntary service. Read is chair of logistics company Wincanton, providing supply chain solutions to a range of UK businesses including construction.
He was appointed to set up and chair the Low Carbon Contracts Company and the Electricity Settlements Company to encourage investment in decarbonisation. He is also a long-time trustee of the Winchester Science Centre.
