This category is for civil engineering and building contractors who achieved a turnover a £250m or more in 2008. For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skills during 2008.

Regional Contractor of the year

This category is for civil engineering and building contractors with a turnover of more than £50m, but less than £250m in 2008. For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skill during 2008.

SME Contractor of the year

Open to general contractors that have fewer than 250 staff and a turnover of less than £50m in 2008. For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skills during 2008.

Specialist Contractor of the year

Entries are encouraged from companies of all sizes carrying out specialist work. Activities such as: plumbing, piling, ground works, cladding, curtain walling, steel, concrete or timber frame construction, roofing, brickwork, plaster and drywall, partitioning, painting and decorating, suspended ceilings. This award is also open to companies of any size who are specialising in electrical, heating and ventilation, lift or escalator installation.

Entrants need to show they have good communication, integration and management systems and are in control of time and costs. For initial entries, the judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skills during 2008.

Demolition contractor of the year

This award is open to all demolition contractors. Entrants must show outstanding business performance. The judges will pay special attention to best-practice environmental performance, particularly the minimisation of noise, pollution and disruption and use of recycling. They will want to see proof of a measurable commitment to health and safety. For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skills during 2008.

Environmental leadership award

This award recognises companies that have made a step change in their approach to construction through a product, process, innovation, design solution or project, or a combination of these. This award is open to companies throughout the industry, and judges will be looking for evidence of how these changes have made a difference in practice.

The Training Award

Entries are welcome from contractors, specialists, manufacturers, suppliers and designers. The judges will be looking for evidence of commitment to develop personnel across the business – from the craft level to senior management (where appropriate). For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful performance and particular examples of training outcomes for 2008, including:-

 Training spend per head
 The use of training programmes to attract school and college leavers into the industry

Respect for People Award

Designed for all those with shared responsibility for the industry to respect its people, including: clients, designer’s contractors and other members of the professional project team. This category rewards companies demonstrating innovation and action in marked improvement to equality and diversity, working environment and conditions, health, career development and life-long learning, behavioural issues and workforce satisfaction. For initial entries, judges will want clear evidence of success and result during 2008.

Consultancy of the year

This award is open to consultancies such as architects, planners, engineers, surveyors and project managers. The judges will be looking for evidence of encouraging collaborative working, strong team integration and recognition of health and safety. For initial entries, please supply evidence of successful business performance and examples of management skill during 2008.

Client of the year

Clients may nominate themselves or be put forward by their contractors or consultants. We are looking for a client that is a model for the rest of the industry. We are looking for examples of:-

 Leadership
 Innovation
 Strategic thinking
 A commitment for long term fostering improvement in construction.

For initial entries, the judges will want to see a statement of what the client is trying to achieve, how it’s being measured and result being obtained.

Construction Product Manufacturer of the year

Entrants hoping to win this award should aim to impress the judges with their focus on sustainability issues that meet the Government’s objectives stated in the “Sustainable Construction Strategy”. This might include:

 Products that contribute to energy saving
 Re-cycle ability of specific products
 Manufacturing processes that reduce energy consumption
 Products that require less maintenance after installation.

For the initial entry stage, judges will also be looking for a demonstration of high levels of research and development, investment and innovation relating to products and processes.

 Long-term partnering award

This joint award is open to any organisation working together in a long-term arrangement designed to achieve a step change in construction performance. Examples could include framework agreements, alliances and prime contracts, supply chain agreements with specialists, suppliers or manufacturers.

For initial entries, the judges will be looking for evidence of successful performance and partnering during 2008. Issues to consider include innovation, performance measurement and improvement against agreed targets, through process improvement, team integration and supply chain management, learning and feedback.

Plant hire company of the year

Entries are welcome from large and small plant hirers – this award is all about good business performance and professionalism. For initial entries, judges will be looking for evidence of successful business performance and particular examples of management skill during 2008.

The judges will also want to see details of investment of plant fleet, and a management team committed to maintenance, reliability, training and safety.

The next 2 categories require full entry and additional information at the outset.
Please complete all the entry details as per the other categories. Then provide 1,000 words explaining why you should win looking at the entry criteria.  Upload all the relevant documents in either word or pdf format.