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Eligibility

Open to consulting firms and contractors (UK division or wholly UK-based firm) in the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this accolade recognises

Given how much this category matters to entrants, we've upgraded how it's assessed for 2027. Rather than a written entry and judging panel, Best Places to Work is now independently researched by Workforce Research Group (WRG), specialists in workplace-culture assessment — producing a result built on genuine employee sentiment, not the strongest write-up.

How this is assessed

• Independently assessed: run in partnership with Workforce Research Group (WRG), dedicated workplace-culture researchers who design and analyse the survey — not scored by the NCE Awards judging panel.
• Entered like any other category: select Best Places to Work when you submit your NCE Awards entry, by the standard deadline — the difference is what happens next, not how you enter.
• Statistically credible: a minimum response rate applies (40% for employers with 25 or more staff, 80% for smaller employers), with a genuine random sample used for larger organisations rather than hand-picked respondents.
• Free to take part: registration and assessment are free. An optional Employee Feedback Data Dashboard is available to purchase separately, benchmarking your results against other participants on engagement, culture, leadership, reward and wellbeing.

Supporting images

Not applicable — this category has no written or image-based entry. See How to take part, below.

How to take part

• Select Best Places to Work when you submit your NCE Awards entry, by the standard deadline — entering this category doesn't involve a written submission like the others.
• Once entered, you'll be sent a link to complete a short employer survey with Workforce Research Group (WRG).
• You'll also coordinate with WRG to invite your employees to complete an anonymous employee survey.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry that champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as part of their business focus.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a firm that champions equality, diversity and inclusion as a core part of its business, through a specific policy or set of policies introduced or developed in the last 18 months.

Judging criteria

• Fair opportunity: a specific policy or initiative that demonstrably improves fair opportunities for existing staff of all backgrounds
• Attracting diverse talent: evidence of impact on recruitment from a wider range of backgrounds, supported by data
• Evidence base: quantifiable data supporting EDI claims (e.g. staff diversity breakdown, gender pay gap figures)
• Sector influence: evidence the approach has been shared, or could be adopted more widely, across the sector

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry that champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) as part of their business focus.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a firm that champions equality, diversity and inclusion as a core part of its business, through a specific policy or set of policies introduced or developed in the last 18 months.

Judging criteria

• Fair opportunity: a specific policy or initiative that demonstrably improves fair opportunities for existing staff of all backgrounds
• Attracting diverse talent: evidence of impact on recruitment from a wider range of backgrounds, supported by data
• Evidence base: quantifiable data supporting EDI claims (e.g. staff diversity breakdown, gender pay gap figures)
• Sector influence: evidence the approach has been shared, or could be adopted more widely, across the sector

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry that have taken an innovative approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in the last 18 months. This category covers environmental and governance initiatives, and social value work other than equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) — entries focused specifically on EDI should be submitted to the EDI Leader category instead.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a firm that has taken an innovative, evidence-led approach to environmental, social and governance issues in the last 18 months, embedding social and environmental value into its business culture and project delivery.

Judging criteria

• Three pillars: clear evidence of action across environmental, social and governance dimensions, not just one
• Quantifiable benefit: a measurable sustainability or social value outcome, supported by data
• Supply chain reach: evidence of how the approach extends to or influences the supply chain
• Project-level delivery: at least one concrete example of the approach applied on a live project or scheme, with an outcome-focused result

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry that have taken an innovative approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in the last 18 months. This category covers environmental and governance initiatives, and social value work other than equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) — entries focused specifically on EDI should be submitted to the EDI Leader category instead.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a firm that has taken an innovative, evidence-led approach to environmental, social and governance issues in the last 18 months, embedding social and environmental value into its business culture and project delivery.

Judging criteria

• Three pillars: clear evidence of action across environmental, social and governance dimensions, not just one
• Quantifiable benefit: a measurable sustainability or social value outcome, supported by data
• Supply chain reach: evidence of how the approach extends to or influences the supply chain
• Project-level delivery: at least one concrete example of the approach applied on a live project or scheme, with an outcome-focused result

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to engineering consulting firms (UK division or wholly UK-based firm) in the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a consulting firm that has delivered improved business performance in the last 18 months through a clear business strategy or set of strategies, demonstrated by growth in revenue, profit and staff numbers alongside continued innovation, quality and value. Entries should relate to business decisions introduced in the year prior to the latest published financial results.

Judging criteria

• Growth: clear evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale and/or staff numbers over the last 18 months, supported by figures
• Strategic change: a defined business strategy or initiative introduced in the last 18 months, with evidence of how it was implemented
• Technical delivery: at least one example of project delivery that demonstrates technical excellence beyond business-as-usual
• Client and supply chain impact: evidence of stronger client, partner or supply chain relationships resulting from the strategy, ideally supported by a testimonial
• Future outlook: a credible view of how the strategy will sustain growth beyond the entry period

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to engineering consultancies or contractors' international divisions, or firms wholly based outside the UK, in the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises an international firm or division that has delivered improved business performance in the last 18 months through a clear business strategy or set of strategies, demonstrated by growth in revenue, profit and staff numbers alongside continued innovation, quality and value. Entries should relate to business decisions introduced in the year prior to the latest published financial results.

Judging criteria

• Growth: clear evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale and/or staff numbers over the last 18 months, supported by figures
• Strategic change: a defined business strategy or initiative introduced in the last 18 months, with evidence of how it was implemented
• Technical delivery: at least one example of project delivery that demonstrates technical excellence beyond business-as-usual
• Client and supply chain impact: evidence of stronger client, partner or supply chain relationships resulting from the strategy, ideally supported by a testimonial
• Future outlook: a credible view of how the strategy will sustain growth beyond the entry period

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to specialist contractors, or specialist subsidiaries of a main contractor that file separate accounts at Companies House, in the civil construction industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a specialist contractor that has delivered improved business performance in the last 18 months through a clear business strategy or set of strategies, demonstrated by growth in revenue, profit and staff numbers alongside continued innovation, quality and value. Entries should relate to business decisions introduced in the year prior to the latest published financial results.

Judging criteria

• Growth: clear evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale and/or staff numbers over the last 18 months, supported by figures
• Strategic change: a defined business strategy or initiative introduced in the last 18 months, with evidence of how it was implemented
• Technical delivery: at least one example of project delivery that demonstrates technical excellence beyond business-as-usual
• Client and supply chain impact: evidence of stronger client, partner or supply chain relationships resulting from the strategy, ideally supported by a testimonial
• Future outlook: a credible view of how the strategy will sustain growth beyond the entry period

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) engineering consulting firms — defined as fewer than 250 UK-based employees — in the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises an SME consulting firm that has delivered improved business performance in the last 18 months through a clear business strategy or set of strategies, demonstrated by growth in revenue, profit and staff numbers alongside continued innovation, quality and value. Entries should relate to business decisions introduced in the year prior to the latest published financial results.

Judging criteria

• Growth: clear evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale and/or staff numbers over the last 18 months, supported by figures
• Strategic change: a defined business strategy or initiative introduced in the last 18 months, with evidence of how it was implemented
• Technical delivery: at least one example of project delivery that demonstrates technical excellence beyond business-as-usual
• Client and supply chain impact: evidence of stronger client, partner or supply chain relationships resulting from the strategy, ideally supported by a testimonial
• Future outlook: a credible view of how the strategy will sustain growth beyond the entry period

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to any engineering consultancy or contractor (UK division or wholly UK-based firm) that has implemented a significant business change in the last 18 months — such as a merger, acquisition, new division, or cultural change programme.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a consultancy or contractor that has delivered a successful business change in the last 18 months, while bringing employees with it rather than dictating change to them, and strengthening its offer to clients and delivery partners.

Judging criteria

• Communication: clear evidence of how the change was communicated to employees, and why
• Successful integration: evidence the change has been embedded and has improved the company's capability or capacity
• Client and partner benefit: evidence of how the change benefits clients and delivery partners
• Financial impact: evidence of the change's effect on revenue and profit, with a credible view of future impact

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the energy sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist consultant for whom energy is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in energy has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in energy have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the energy business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider energy sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the energy sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist contractor for whom energy is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in energy has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in energy have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the energy business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider energy sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the transport sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist consultant for whom road, rail, airports and local transport solutions is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in transport has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in transport have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the transport business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider transport sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the transport sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist contractor for whom road, rail, airports and local transport solutions is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in transport has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in transport have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the transport business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider transport sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services on buildings — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist consultant for whom buildings work is a part of the business. This category covers buildings and structures not already covered by the Energy, Transport, or Water & Environment sector categories.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in structures has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in structures have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the structures business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider structures sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services on buildings — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist contractor for whom buildings work is a part of the business. This category covers buildings and structures not already covered by the Energy, Transport, or Water & Environment sector categories.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in structures has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in structures have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the structures business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider structures sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to consulting firms in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the water & environment sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist consultant for whom water & environment is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in water & environment has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in water & environment have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the water & environment business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider water & environment sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to contractors in the construction and civil engineering industry providing services in the water & environment sector — whether as a specialised division within a larger business, or as a specialist contractor for whom water & environment is a part of the business.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a business or specialist division whose work in water & environment has gone beyond the expected standard of service over the last 18 months, combining technical excellence with continued growth and innovation.

Judging criteria

• Technical excellence: evidence that services in water & environment have gone beyond the expected standard over the last 18 months
• Growth: evidence of growth in revenue, profit, project scale or staff numbers within the water & environment business or division over the last 18 months
• Innovation: at least one specific example of an innovative solution introduced in the last 18 months and the benefit it delivered
• Sector-wide benefit: evidence of how the entrant's approach benefits the wider water & environment sector, not just their own clients

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to product solutions providers serving the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a product solutions provider that has delivered a measurable improvement to clients' performance, safety, cost or reliability over the last 18 months, through business-wide innovation applicable across multiple divisions and/or projects.

Judging criteria

• Customer-responsiveness: evidence the product was developed or adapted in direct response to customer needs
• Measurable outcome: quantifiable evidence of improved performance, cost, safety or reliability resulting from its use
• Scalability: evidence of the innovation being used, or planned to be used, across multiple divisions, clients or projects
• Client impact: evidence of the solution's impact on clients, ideally supported by a testimonial

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to advisory services providers supporting contractors, consultants or clients within the construction and civil engineering sector — for example on financial planning, company restructuring, or redundancy services. This category is for the advisory service itself, not the provider's overall business performance — firms wishing to enter on the strength of their own growth and strategy should enter Consulting Firm of the Year (or the relevant SME/International category) instead.

What this award recognises

This award recognises an advisory services provider that has delivered outstanding support to contractors, consultants or clients in the construction and civil engineering sector over the last 18 months.

Judging criteria

• Scope of service: evidence of advisory support delivered to contractors, consultants or clients within the sector
• Client impact: evidence of the advice or service's impact, ideally supported by a client testimonial
• Differentiation: evidence of services that go beyond standard advisory offerings
• Sector benefit: evidence of wider benefit to the sector beyond the immediate client relationship

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.

Eligibility

Open to software solutions providers serving the construction and civil engineering industry.

What this award recognises

This award recognises a software solutions provider that has delivered a measurable improvement to clients' performance, safety, cost or reliability over the last 18 months, through business-wide innovation applicable across multiple divisions and/or projects.

Judging criteria

• Customer-responsiveness: evidence the software was developed or adapted in direct response to customer needs
• Measurable outcome: quantifiable evidence of improved performance, cost, safety or reliability resulting from its use
• Scalability: evidence of the innovation being used, or planned to be used, across multiple divisions, clients or projects
• Client impact: evidence of the solution's impact on clients, ideally supported by a testimonial

Supporting images

Each entry should be supported by a maximum of three images. Images should be in landscape, more than 1MB in size, in jpeg/png format and should not be edited to include details of the category or the name/logo of the company entering (or any other annotations). Additional text (other than diagram annotation) included in supporting documents will not be used by the judging panel. The images might be used in marketing material and featured in New Civil Engineer.