There are countless construction industry awards in the UK, all centred around celebrating excellence across the sector. This is a competitive industry, with thousands of firms vying for more contracts and projects, and with this competitiveness comes the need to stand out. Winning a construction award can help give you that competitive edge, especially when it comes from a recognised awarding body and is endorsed by well-known industry leaders.
Construction awards categories cover every inch of the sector, from advances in technology and innovation to sustainability and community impact. The construction industry as a whole is seeing a huge push towards sustainability and social value due to the impact and importance of construction in modern life. With more clients looking for contractors and partners with a proven track record of working with close consideration of their surroundings, construction awards are only becoming more and more important for companies to achieve.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most prestigious construction awards in the UK, with trophies up for grabs for companies big and small, individuals, and project teams. The following construction awards aim to highlight the best of British construction, setting new standards for excellence and celebrating those who go above and beyond.
CIOB Awards
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is a professional body for construction management and leadership. Established in 1834, the CIOB promotes the science and practice of building and construction for the benefit of society, offering qualifications and training and supporting best practices. Held annually, the CIOB Awards celebrate industry professionals in a range of categories:
- Construction Manager of the Year, celebrating managers who have shown exceptional leadership and project management skills
- Rising Star Award, highlighting budding construction professionals who have shown promise and potential
- Project of the Year, to recognise innovative and high-quality construction projects which have had a positive impact
The CIOB Awards celebrate every stage of the construction process and every component of the sector. The Construction Manager of the Year award is the most prestigious with previous winners having gone on to work on landmarks like Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and Windsor Castle!
British Construction Industry Awards
Held annually by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and New Civil Engineer, the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA) recognise excellence in project delivery and delivering positive outcomes for society. They celebrate the hard work of the whole project team, including the client, architects, designers, and contractors. Entries are judged by a panel of over 100 experts, with the 22 award categories including:
- Residential Project of the Year, highlighting the value of exceptional buildings in meeting the UK’s housing needs
- Community Impact Initiative of the Year, recognising projects that have improved the lives of communities in the area with teams which have gone above and beyond to mitigate the impact of construction
- Project Innovation of the Year, focusing on innovation in products for design or construction that have improved project outcomes
The collaboration between ICE and New Civil Engineer means that winners receive industry-wide recognition and both online and print exposure. It’s a great opportunity to showcase how your company is delivering positive outcomes for society.
Construction News Awards
The Construction News Awards (CN Awards) have been held continuously for almost three decades, and are one of the highlights of the construction awards calendar. Their 24 categories celebrate projects, innovations and forward-thinking companies including some of the biggest contractors and businesses in the sector. The CN Awards look to recognise those who go the extra mile in quality and innovation. Categories include:
- Carbon Reduction Champion, for those who have demonstrated commitment to the low-carbon agenda and reducing carbon in all aspects of construction
- Contractor of the Year, with separate categories for companies with turnovers above and below £500m, which celebrates contributions to brilliant projects or innovations with a forward-thinking approach
- Training Excellence, for contractors who have demonstrated a positive and progressive approach to the training and development of their staff
The CN Awards bring together over 1000 decision makers from across the industry, providing entrants with a unique opportunity to network and even secure sponsorships.
Construction Awards of Excellence
The National Federation of Builders (NFB)’s Construction Awards of Excellence recognise and celebrate exceptional performance and unwavering commitment to excellence. Held annually in November, the prestigious ceremony hands out awards in 15 categories, such as:
- Excellence in Sustainable Construction, celebrating dedication to sustainable business practices, energy efficiency, and environmental impact reduction
- Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Excellence, for those who have shown incredible commitment to ensuring the health, safety, and wellbeing of employees through innovative practices
- Outstanding Tradesperson, dedicated to craft or tradespersons who exhibit outstanding work, expertise and impact on projects
The night culminates in the Construction Project of the Year – People’s Choice award, which celebrates the overall best construction project based on innovation, success, quality, and impact – determined by popular vote on the night.
Digital Construction Awards
The Digital Construction Awards celebrate innovation and technology in the built environment, highlighting the most pioneering projects, teams and individuals whether they are leading the way in innovation or are implementing existing technologies into their own processes for the first time. The Digital Construction Awards’ panel of judges are recognised as industry leaders in a wide range of disciplines. Categories include:
- Best Use of Data, recognising innovative approaches to data collection, analysis, and application in construction projects
- Best VR or AR Application, highlighting those who have used either technology to enhance their construction processes
- Digital Training Initiative of the Year, recognising effective training programmes or initiatives that have successfully upskilled construction professionals in digital tech
The Digital Construction Awards are not just about recognising and celebrating the winners; they are also about inspiring others, making connections, and having fun!
Building Awards
The annual Building Awards are sponsored – among others – by Build UK, a leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. They celebrate the achievements of construction contractors, firms, and project teams across all areas including architecture, engineering, house building and surveyance. Categories at the Building Awards include:
- Delivering Social Value Award, recognising projects which have had a social, economic, and environmental impact with a measurably positive effect on end users, a local community, or another group
- Manufacturer of the Year, for manufacturers who have gone the extra mile in their partnerships with the construction industry
- Building’s Good Employer of the Year, celebrating firms that promote a high-quality work environment for their employees, providing career advancement opportunities and a healthy work life balance
2024 marks the Building Awards’ 30th edition, with the awards providing a place for shortlisted companies to network and celebrate their achievements.
Why Should Businesses Aim to Achieve a UK Construction Award?
Being shortlisted for or winning a UK construction award comes with a huge range of benefits, not least of all the enhanced reputation and credibility it provides. The awards on our list are created, sponsored, and endorsed by trusted industry leaders – leaders which have already built trust in the sector and who can instantly provide your business with a boost. When looking for the perfect partner or contractor, clients look for these endorsements to ensure they’re going into business with a firm that won’t let them down.
The existence of construction awards is a great thing for the industry, as the rigorous application and judging processes mean companies are held to high standards. Each year, new benchmarks are set by the winners, with construction firms vying for bigger and better achievements for the next awards.
Winning a UK construction award will also provide internal benefits by boosting employee morale with their hard work and achievements being recognised in a public forum by industry leaders. Recognising the achievements of your employees is imperative for ongoing employee engagement, and can be done in a myriad of ways, whether through an official awards ceremony or by holding your own and providing winners with your own branded crystal trophies.
At Laser Crystal, we create bespoke 3D crystal awards for the most memorable of ceremonies. As the UK’s leading 3D engravers, each crystal art creation is made from flawless optical quality crystal, forming awards and gifts that you are proud to present. From employee recognition awards and long service awards to sports awards and achievement awards, every order can be fully customised to suit your needs.
Browse our full range or let us know your requirements and we can recommend a selection of shapes and designs.