G4C 2022 - Winners Announced

Trade Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by EN:Able Futures CIC

Winner – Dylan Powell, nominated and employed by Gowland and Dawson Construction.

Dylan is not only excelling in their studies at college but they strive to do more by mentoring other apprentices to ensure they maximise their full potential. They are an asset to a team, great communicator and clients have commented on the great work they are completing, with their employer going on to say “They are one of the best apprentices we have ever employed”.

Winner – David Harrison, nominated and employed by TClarke

Our second winner began their career only three years ago and is showing great enthusiasm in both their work and studies. They are currently mentoring fellow apprentices by sharing experiences, knowledge and including them in team talks. Health and safety are at the forefront of their work, and they go on to emphasise how important this is to other apprentices.

During COVID they were given an opportunity by the site manager to work on a more challenging project due to their technical ability, with the client later commenting on the quality of their work.

Student of the Year
Sponsored by Bowmer+Kirkland

Winner – Matt Beattie, nominated and employed by BAM Construction

Matt goes above and beyond the expectations of their colleagues, demonstrating a very high level of competence and ability which has led to a recent promotion. They take personal accountability, shaping their current project to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating whilst mitigating risks by working closely with the client and stakeholders.

They are actively involved in their company, helping colleagues with social media training, shaping the new images of the hoardings on site to promote the industry and sharing their own ‘a day in the life’ during National Apprenticeship Week. They are involved in dual mentoring with a colleague, gaining new experiences, knowledge and support. They also participate in their company’s Future Leaders programme.

They are an active member of the G4C North East, and have organised a number of site visits and student talks.

Having achieved a distinction in their Construction Management HNC, they are now working towards an Honours Degree in Civil Engineering and ICE Chartership.

New Professional of the Year
Sponsored by Constructing Excellence North East

Highly Commended – Autumn Colledge nominated and employed by Turner & Townsend

Highly Commended – Michael O’Connor nominated and employed by Gleeds

Winner – India Hutchinson, nominated and employed by Esh-Stantec

Autumn has exceeded all expectations within their organisation, recently undertaking a range of professional qualifications and accreditations all whilst managing multiple schemes.

Within their company they are a Global Digital Champion and helped form, and now chairs, the UK Real Estate People Working Group. A strong advocate for women in construction they have been involved in both internal and the NAWIC mentoring schemes.

Michael is known for going above and beyond, not only in their personal development, but in his support of others. They regularly provide support to younger colleagues in their professional development including CPD sessions, careers fairs, guest lectures and networking events. They are effective at connecting people, especially through various networking groups and aim to support collaboration between professionals, to tackle some of the industry’s challenges.

With a passion for digitalizing construction they are always willing to support others in their IT and BIM proficiency and plan to continue to innovate in digitalization to benefit business and industry capabilities.

India is committed to their future in the industry, spending much of their own time furthering their career through qualifications and working towards chartership. They are actively involved in working with the Senior Leadership Team within their organisation to influence behaviours and create positive change. They also support new waves of graduates including mentoring support.

As secretary for the ICE Graduates, Apprentices, Students and Technicians Committee they support by organising events, seminars, competitions, and socials, as well as initiatives to engage with local schools.

Their attitude towards the industry is evident in all aspects of their work, delivering clients expectations through effective collaboration. They are also a member of the British Dam Society and was recently awarded second place in their Young Professional’s Prize Competition.

Trainee of the Year
Sponsored by RED Engineering

Winner – Jessica Morgan, nominated and employed by Gleeds

Jessica began their career as an apprentice before progressing to a Degree at Northumbria University. Showing huge potential in their current role, they are leading on a major contract and using excellent negotiation and communication skills to work closely with their client. Taking lessons learnt they were invited to speak to their company’s European Project Directors discussing the positives of developing the next generation.

They are an advocate of Women in Construction and an active member of Generation4Change which has enabled them to build their confidence and network. They have organised mental health initiatives, internal quiz nights, attendance in school fairs as well as being involved in the company’s training programme. As a leader of the Young Innovators programme, they are helping to shape the future of the business.

Commitment to Employee and Training Development
Sponsored by Faithful+Gould

Winner – Tilbury Douglas Construction

This organisation recognises that people are what makes their business a success and attracting, retaining and developing a diverse, skilled workforce is vital.

They are committed to ensuring that every employee has equal opportunities to develop and progress at every level based on their own personal contribution and ability.

The company’s aim is to make resources accessible for everyone, to support learning at anytime and from any location including their in-house learning programmes.

This company is fully dedicated to helping reduce the skills gap by investing in apprenticeships and graduate programmes and make construction a considered career choice. They encourage new entrants into the industry by attending careers events and providing work experience placements in an aim to inspire the next generation through site visits for local schools, colleges and universities to learn about the opportunities available in the sector.

Members of their staff are on the Advisory Boards of New College Durham and Stockton Riverside College and they also participate in the G4C ‘Virt-Dual’ Mentoring Programme.

They believe that diversity is fundamental to their business and were the first UK contractor to be awarded the Investors in Diversity and the National Equality Standard for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion accreditations.

Mentor of the Year
Sponsored by Northumbrian Water Group

Winner – Keith Moulder, believe Housing

Mentoring comes as second nature to Keith. Someone who’s natural empathy and ability to lead by example, sets them apart from others. A champion of inclusivity, ensuring women in all roles are empowered and given a voice of purpose around the table and across the business.

Having been a support for many people during their careers, even retirement couldn’t stop them. Reports of low morale and a lack of confidence and direction, resulted in them returning to work to deliver workshops, training and coaching sessions, fun days and away days which in turn led to staff gaining new knowledge. The now high performing team is made up of people who love being at work and enjoy the challenges they face.

G4C Future Leader
Sponsored by Northern Counties Builders Federation

Highly Commended – Laura Alexander, nominated and employed by Turner & Townsend

Highly Commended – Rosie Thirlwell, nominated and employed by FaulknerBrowns Architects

Winner – Kirils Holstov, nominated by ICE North East and employed by AECOM

Rosie shows great leadership qualities through a range of activities in both working as an advocate for the industry through educational initiatives and promoting inclusion within their organisation, in particular neurodivergence and psychological safety. They developed a Culture Festival to celebrate, engage and build knowledge of the different backgrounds and cultures in the organisation.

Whilst delivering their role to a high standard, they also mentor a sixth form student and a civil engineering student, and are involved in the senior management reverse mentoring programme to drive positive change through their company.

Laura who has made a huge impact on their professional institution by founding a network especially for students, creating a space for them to learn and share from one another. Their passion has benefitted the institution and the wider industry.

Their passion is also directed at developing social responsibility and they have led a transformational approach to Corporate Social Responsibility in their organisation.
They are highly regarded by their colleagues and clients through a passion for the industry, especially in sustainability and inclusion.
Kirils, although still in the early years of their career, is promoting change within the industry at an international level. Their passion is the role of the built environment in addressing the Climate Emergency that has led them to being a UN observer to the COP26 negotiations, speaking at three COP26 events as well as being the co-leader in front of policy holders for the COP26 Joint Statement of International Youth Organisations.

They are the ICE North East’s first regional Climate representative and helped launch the ICE Carbon Champions initiative. Within their organisation they are the only early-career engineer appointed as a sector representative within the Europe Net Zero Resilient Future Group that steers the company’s response to climate change and sustainable development in Europe.

He has recently won awards for Rising Star at Newcastle University, Outstanding Contribution to Carbon Net Zero award at the New Civil Engineer Graduate & Apprentice Awards 2021.