FORCE Celebrates Achievements in the Region

One “of the toughest years” in construction ended on a high as several major projects in Coventry and Warwickshire were honoured at a leading industry awards ceremony.

FORCE – the Forum for Constructing Excellence – held its sixth annual awards ceremony at the new ACT-UK Centre in Coventry to recognise regional achievements in the sector in 2009.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce assisted in the organisation of the awards, which saw George Marsh honoured with the FORCE special award for his contribution to the industry. Marsh, a former chief executive of Galliford, has worked tirelessly over many years to promote construction and to encourage excellence in the sector.

He remains a fervent leader within the industry although he has just stepped down as chair from the AWM Building Technologies Construction Opportunities Group and WMCCE. Marsh helped to promote the vision of ACT-UK and helped to bring the centre to Coventry. He received his special award from a former winner – Clive Benfield, chairman of the KB Benfield Group.

John Cave, the chairman of FORCE, said: "It has been one of the most difficult periods and one of the toughest years for the property and construction world but there is still much to be proud of and a great deal to celebrate. In fact, through adversity we have seen companies in Coventry and Warwickshire continue to maintain very high standards and produce some outstanding buildings.

"Some major schemes have been brought to conclusion in the past 12 months and it is vitally important that we have recognised this."

He added: "George Marsh follows in the footsteps of an outstanding list of winners of our special award and he thoroughly deserves the accolade."

Marsh said: "FORCE has played leading part in best practice and continues to do so, so it is wholly appropriate that we are here in a centre dedicated to training excellence."

Coventry’s New Deal for the Communities scooped the regeneration award, sponsored by CSWP, for the Moat House Leisure and Community Centre. The new QCA building in Coventry and the third phase of the Centenary Business Centre in Nuneaton were also short listed.

Deeley Construction claimed the landmark award, sponsored by Bluemark Developments, for its work on the new Belgrade Plaza scheme in Coventry city centre. City College, Coventry and the Moat House Leisure and Community Centre were also short listed.

T Stratton & Sons, based in Exhall, won the training award, sponsored by ACT-UK, because of its commitment to training at all levels. Alumet Systems and Lovell Partnerships were also short listed.

The Shaylor Group, based in Aldridge, took home the supply chain award, sponsored by the KB Benfield Group, for its work on the ACT-UK Centre in Coventry. Millard Consulting and Alumet Systems were also short listed.

Millard Consulting, based at the Ricoh Arena, picked up the award for engineering excellence, sponsored by Coventry University. The company took the accolade for its work on the Aspect development in Northampton. Alumet Systems were also short listed along with Millard Consulting for another of its projects.

The design award, sponsored by RIBA and the CIOB, went to the team behind North Leamington School’s new campus including the school, Warwickshire County Council and Robothams Architects. City College (Robothams Architects) and The Shoe Factory (Metropolis Architecture) were also short listed.

Deeley Construction walked away with their second award of the night when they picked up the environmental performance award, sponsored by Coventry City Council. The company achieved the success for the work on its only company headquarters on the Coventry Business Park. North Leamington School and EH Smith were also short listed.

Cave added: "This is a great advertisement for construction in Coventry and Warwickshire and we would like to extend our best wishes to all those award winners and to everyone who has made a positive contribution to the sector in this region over the past year."

Extra August Breakfast Meeting Overview: Site visit to new Severn Trent Offices   The New Severn Trent Offices in Coventry are set to be the new benchmark for sustainable construction in the City. Under construction at the moment by BAM Construction the offices are due for completion in 2010. It will accommodate 1,700 Severn Trent staff who will be based at the new, purpose-built offices, which will boast seven storeys over 170,000 square feet and include a car park. FORCE members were invited to a presentation on the development and a tour of the site and had the chance to ask questions of the project team. One of the things that impressed upon many attendees was the commitment to best practice in the construction process and operation of the site, from the liason with the local community to the organised and clear work areas. Our thanks are expressed to Chris Donovan and Ian French of BAM Construction for an interesting and useful insight into the workings of a major construction site.

June Breakfast Meeting - Sustainable Homes - Fact or Fiction? Overview: This extended breakfast meeting looked at the practicalities, strengths and weaknesses of the Code for Sustainable Homes. With public sector having to comply with code level 4 by the end of 2010 and private sector with code level 3, and with 2016 as the deadline for code level 6 compliance, we assembled a panel of experts to share insight, best practice and knowledge. The panel Members were: - Councillor Nigel Lee - Cabinet member for Climate Change, Sustainability and Housing - Dr Melody Stokes - Sustainability and Campaigns Manager for Coventry City Council - Matthew Rhodes, Encraft - Renewable Energy Expert - Graham Gilliberg, Millard Consulting - Specialist on the Code for Sustainable Homes - Trevor Passingham, Whitefriars Housing Association - Gavin Hodgson, Head of CfSH Consultancy for the BRE Please click on the image below for a mindmap of the event: