Winners Announced for the Constructing Excellence North East 2026 Awards

Integration & Collaborative Working
Sponsored by Centurion Fire Safety Solutions

Winner – Digital Life, Teesside University

The Digital Life Project Team demonstrated exceptional  integration and collaborative working, built on trusted partnerships, early  supply chain involvement and a genuine one team culture. This project stood out  for combining technical innovation, shared problem solving and outstanding  project outcomes in a truly collaborative way.

Highly Commended – Pilgrim’s Quarter and Hexham General Hospital Refurbishment – Phase 3

Delivering Value
Sponsored by Isoler

Winner – Digital Life, Teesside University

Digital Life demonstrates that true value goes far beyond cost, creating  a future focused asset that delivers lasting economic, social and environmental  impact.

The project combined world class digital teaching and research facilities with  outstanding flexibility, inclusivity and sustainability, while generating major  regional benefit through 83.6% local spend. A strong SME engagement and  significant training and employment opportunities. With a BREEAM Outstanding  rating, record Considerate Constructors score, and a clear vision for long term  community and commercial use this project exemplifies value led delivery at its very best.

Winner – Bailiffgate Hotel

Bailiffgate Hotel is standout example of  regeneration and conservation, transforming a deteriorating Grade II listed  building into a high quality boutique hotel while preserving its historic  character and architectural significance. Delivered with exceptional care,  collaboration and specialist conservation expertise, the project overcame major  structural and heritage challenges to secure the future of an important  landmark.

The judges were impressed by its sensitive restoration, innovative problem  solving and the lasting economic, cultural and community value it brings to the town.

Sponsored by Weightmans

Winner – MGL Group

MGL initiative won for their bold, evidence led approach to innovation, embedding circular economy thinking and low carbon solutions across its operations.

Their  major investment in new technology, combined with measurable results in waste  reduction, carbon savings and resource efficiency, demonstrated a scalable  approach that is delivering real impact for both the business and the wider  sector

Sponsored by Northumbrian Water  

Winner – South Bank Watercourse

The South Bank Watercourse project demonstrated how large scale infrastructure can  successfully combine environmental innovation, circular economy principles and  long term climate resilience. By reusing more than 100,000m³ of site won  material, creating valuable new habitat, and delivering a passive, low carbon  drainage solution that unlocks major regeneration, the project sets a powerful  benchmark for sustainable engineering and place-based transformation.

Highly Commended – West Park Flood Alleviation Project

Sponsored by Robertson

Winner – Equip at HMP Deerbolt  

Equip at HMP Deerbolt was chosen for its  innovative and deeply meaningful approach to reducing reoffending through  employment-focused rehabilitation. By delivering a tailored programme that  built confidence, employability skills and real employer connections for men in  custody, the initiative demonstrated measurable impact, genuine collaboration  and a strong commitment to creating lasting positive change for individuals and  the wider community.

Sponsored by AtkinsRealis

Winner – True North Construction

True North Construction are recognised for combining exceptional growth with a  strong people first culture and a clear commitment to quality, innovation and  sustainability. The business has gone from strength to strength, investing in  its people, developing future talent and leading the way in high quality,  sustainable construction, while also making a meaningful contribution to the  wider community. Their success reflects not only commercial achievement, but a  business that is helping to shape a stronger future for the industry across the region.

Micro-SME Winner -A&N Safety Consultants

A&N Safety Consultants stood out to the judges for the impressive progress  they have made as a growing business, while remaining true to their values and  commitment to quality. Their investment in people, innovation in service  delivery, and strong focus on supporting women, young people and the wider  community demonstrated exactly the kind of positive impact this new category  was created to celebrate. They are a small business making a big difference  across the region.

Sponsored by DAC Beachcroft  

Winner –  Union Village, Gresham
Union Village saw the transformation of a long vacant brownfield site into a vibrant new  neighbourhood delivering high quality affordable homes. The project stood out  for its strong collaborative approach, exceptional social value impact and its  clear commitment to regeneration, sustainability and lasting community benefit.

Highly Commended – HUSK, Northumberland

Darren Vipond, Director of Campus Services, Teesside University

We are delighted to celebrate Darren Vipond and the extraordinary impact he has made at Teesside University through his leadership, vision and unwavering commitment to excellence. Darren has played a pivotal role in shaping a campus that not only supports outstanding learning and research but also reflects the university’s ambition, innovation and values. From the success of landmark projects such as Cornell Quarter, BIOS, the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre and Digital Life, to his strong commitment to sustainability and long-term improvement, his influence can be seen right across the university estate. His leadership has helped secure national recognition for Teesside University and, more importantly, has created a lasting legacy for students, staff and the wider university community. This is a truly well-deserved recognition of an exceptional contribution.

Winner – HICSA – Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy

The HICSA project saw the transformation of a derelict historic asset into a high performing, all electric facility that delivers both environmental and social value. Through exemplary collaboration, low carbon innovation and a fabric first  approach, it not only preserved and repurposed heritage fabric but also created  a nationally significant skills academy that will support the future of  sustainable construction.

Sponsored by GenNorth  

Winner –  NuTH Capital Works  

NuTH leadership, collaborative approach and clear commitment to quality has driven exceptional outcomes across its Capital Works Programme.

Through  early engagement, transparent decision making and a strong focus on patient  care, safety and long term value, the Trust has created the conditions for  innovation, partnership and high performing delivery. Their ability to balance  complex live healthcare environments with strategic foresight, social value and  consistent programme excellence makes them a worthy winner of Client of the Year.

Sponsored by CDM Recruitment

Winner –  Keel Crossing, Sunderland

The Keel Crossing project was recognised for its outstanding collaborative delivery, innovative engineering and transformative impact on the city’s regeneration. Delivered ahead of programme despite significant technical and site constraints, the project demonstrated excellence in planning, design and construction, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, sustainability and social value.

As a landmark piece of infrastructure, it has enhanced connectivity across the city, encouraged active travel and unlocked long term economic opportunities for the city.

Sponsored by CDM Recruitment

Winner – Pilgrim’s Quarter

Pilgrim’s Quarter is a landmark development that stood out to the judges for its exceptional scale, collaborative delivery and lasting impact on the regeneration of the City centre. Combining outstanding commercial achievement with heritage  preservation, sustainability and social value, it is a truly exemplary project  and a worthy winner this category.

Highly Commended – Digital Life, Teesside

Special Award – AESC UK Gigafactory Project

Neil Matthias, Major Project Director, Wates Construction

Neil Matthias is the deserving recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognised for more than 30 years of exceptional leadership, influence and achievement across the built environment sector. From his early days as an apprentice joiner to his current role as Major Projects Director, Neil’s career has been defined by technical excellence, humility, integrity and a deep commitment to people, safety and innovation. Most notably, he has led the delivery of one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects, setting new standards in collaboration, safety and best practice within a high-risk environment. Beyond project delivery, Neil is admired as an inspiring leader, generous mentor and champion of positive change, whose contribution has supported jobs, strengthened communities and left a lasting legacy across the industry.