It was a night of celebration for the region’s built environment as organisations, projects and individuals were recognised at the Constructing Excellence North East Awards 2025.
Meanwhile, just over £10,000 was raised for The Heel and Toe Children’s Charity and its vital hydrotherapy pool for children with physical disabilities and complex needs.
On the night, all eyes were on Newcastle University, NORR Consultants Ltd, Bowmer+Kirkland, Identity Consult, JH Partners, Shed, One Environments, Apex Acoustics and ELG Planning who won Building Project of the Year for The Stephenson Building Redevelopment. Described by judges as a truly visionary development that brings together multiple disciplines to form an inclusive, collaborative and future-ready learning hub.
Newcastle University was also named Client of the Year, while Iain Garfield was acknowledged for his Outstanding Contribution to the Construction Industry. In his former role as Director of Estates and Facilities, Iain demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision, successfully delivering a diverse portfolio of major capital projects.
Space Architects scooped two awards. The ESG category and the Regeneration & Conservation Category for Remaking Beamish alongside Beamish Museum, Thornton Firkin, Brims Construction, BGP, Kyoob and Todd Milburn. They also received a highly commended in the Regeneration and Conservation category alongside Wilmott Dixon Construction and Darlington Borough Council for Hopetown Darlington.
MGL Group also won two awards – Climate Action and Innovation. They were praised for leading the way toward net zero by decarbonising road construction, promoting circular economy principles and supporting local authorities in achieving their net zero targets by 2030.
Headline sponsor for the awards was CDM Recruitment. Category sponsors included Applebridge Geoenvironmental, AtkinsRealis, Centurion Fire Safety Solutions, DAC Beachcroft, GSSArchitecture, K2 Construction Management, Northumbrian Water Group, Remagin, Robertson Construction, Tilbury Douglas, Weightmans LLP, and drinks reception sponsor, Thompsons of Prudhoe.
Other award category winners:
SME: Aptus Construction
Special Recognition: A&N Safety Consultants
People and Culture: Seymour Civil Engineering
Integration & Collaborative Working: Hexham General Hospital Refurbishment Project Phase 2 – Integrated Health Projects (Sir Robert McAlpine and Vinci), Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Identity Consult, P+HS Architects, Stantec, CAD21, Dalkia UK Ltd and Summers-Inman.
Highly commended: Metrocentre Community Diagnostics Centre. Robertson CE Ltd, QEF, Ryder Architecture, Jasper Kerr, Link MEP, AtkinsRealis and H Malone & Sons.
Retrofit: Beamish Football Centre – MGM Ltd, Stanley Events Ltd, Elvet Chartered Surveyors, MawsonKerr, Jasper Kerr, Desco and Impec UK.
Infrastructure Project of the Year: Riverside MSCP, Riverside Sunderland – Turner & Townsend, Sunderland City Council, Sir Robert McAlpine, Ryder Architecture, Cundall, One Environments and Tonkin Lui.
Highly Commended – Browney Curve Stabilisation. Story Contracting, Network Rail, Pell Frischmann, Keller, North East Tippers, H W Martin Fencing and Forestry Ltd, GEO-Instruments UK, Lundy Projects and Story Geotech.
Residential Project of the Year: 15 Bath Terrace – True North Construction, Natalie and Callum Underwood, MawsonKerr and Narro Associates.
Delivering Value: be:ONE Partnership – RE:GEN Group, believe Housing, Sendrig Construction, Sunter, Buston & Maughan Group and Prosper.
Highly commended awards went to: The Story at Mount Oswald. Kier Construction, Ryder Architecture, Cundall and Hedley Planning.
Northumbria Health & Care Academy & Drive Thru Starbucks – Meldrum Construction Services and Assura PLC.
Catriona Lingwood, chief executive at Constructing Excellence North East, said: “We say it every year, but it’s worth repeating – the standard of entries this year was nothing short of outstanding. The quality and innovation shown made judging incredibly tough, and we’re grateful to our panel who took on the challenge. Hearing the joy from our winners was a real highlight, and whether you took home a trophy, received a Highly Commended, or were shortlisted – you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.
“A huge thank you to all our sponsors, with special appreciation for our Headline Sponsor, CDM Recruitment, whose support over the past eight years has been fantastic – they are a pleasure to work with and to everyone who donated to The Heel and Toe Children’s Charity.”