NCE Awards 2026 Winners

Best place to work – Contractor

Winner:

• Avove

"Avove stands out for its unique initiatives, including 'Think Space', which grants staff funded time dedicated to improving company processes and practices. Staff are empowered to implement their ideas, and the business has seen tangible benefits as a result. There is an excellent focus on all aspects of wellbeing, financial, social, and particularly mental health, alongside impressive employee survey completion rates and a strong commitment to learning and development. Avove clearly lives by its ideals of 'One culture, one team, real outcomes'."

Finalists:

• Expanded
• Kilnbridge

Best place to work – Large Consulting Firm

Winner:

• Aecom

"Aecom demonstrated an industry-leading approach to wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement, setting an example for others within the sector to follow. The submission showcased extensive data analysis, clear identification of risks and opportunities, and a genuine willingness to learn and improve. This is an organisation that does not merely commit to better outcomes but demonstrates them."

Highly commended:

• Tony Gee and Partners

Finalist:

• Thornton Tomasetti

Best place to work – SME Consulting Firm

Winner:

• Whitfield Consulting Services

"Whitfield Consulting Services has undergone a period of transformation, putting its people first throughout. The submission presented a well-rounded, holistic, and structured strategy built on several clear pillars, with internal talent developed and EDI embedded throughout the process. Specific measures were provided to demonstrate improvement, benchmarked against peer organisations. The closing video from employees reinforced everything the team presented to the judges on the day."

Finalists:

• Allora Infrastructure
• Davies Maguire
• HBL Associates
• Laminar Projects
• Project Planning
• Sutcliffe Projects
• Waterco Datrys

Environmental, Social and Governance Leader – Consultant

Winner:

• Binnies 

"Binnies impressed the judges with their asset carbon management tool, ACiT, and the ENGAGED behavioural framework. The inclusion of employee representatives in the presentation demonstrated that ESG is genuinely embedded within the business. It was clear to the judges that this commitment is driven by strong leadership at the top of the organisation."

Highly commended:

• Allora Infrastructure
  

Finalists:

• Buro Happold
• Thornton Tomasetti
  

Environmental, Social and Governance Leader – Contractor

Winner:

• Kier Group

"Kier Group delivered a well-balanced presentation covering all aspects of ESG with conviction and depth. Strong evidence was provided for the delivery of social value and environmental outcomes, alongside compelling demonstration of how strategy translates into improved performance. The exceptionally strong teamwork between the presenters was itself a reflection of the culture they described."

Finalists:

• Bam
• Flood Technology Group
• VGC Group

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Leader

Winner:

• Mott MacDonald

"Mott MacDonald demonstrates clear leadership and a full commitment to EDI as business as usual, not an initiative but a way of working. A wide range of successful data-driven initiatives has resulted in measurable impacts and insights now being sought by the wider industry and government. A virtuous cycle is clearly in place, building and expanding the organisation's strong EDI maturity."

Finalists:

• Aecom
• Sisk

Best Delivery of Business Change

Winner:

• BridgeCare

"BridgeCare has delivered an outstanding transformation, turning a struggling business into a high-performance organisation that is, in essence, a new entity. Investment in the business and in staff development is underpinned by the passion and conviction of its leaders. The transformation has delivered a clear financial impact, with strong margins and profitability evident throughout. The social value impact is equally exceptional."

Highly commended:

• L Lynch Plant Hire & Haulage

Finalists:

• Aecom
• Project Planning
• Rider Levett Bucknall
• Tony Gee and Partners

Consulting Firm of the Year

Winner:

• Thornton Tomasetti

"Thornton Tomasetti impressed the judges with the clarity of its strategic repositioning and the strong, demonstrable link between that strategy and impressive growth. A confident and well-articulated presentation, combined with clear evidence of innovation and future potential, made Thornton Tomasetti the standout winner of this award."

Highly commended:

• Tony Gee and Partners

Finalists:

• Amey
• Cundall
• Haskoning
• Stantec

Contractor of the Year

Winner:

• Avove

"Avove demonstrated clear technical solutions, innovation, and well-considered ideas that deliver tangible benefits and improvements for clients. Since becoming a standalone business in 2022, the team has shown passion, commitment, confidence, and agility in driving growth within the water industry."

Finalist:

• Murphy

International Firm of the Year

Winner:

• Thornton Tomasetti

"Thornton Tomasetti delivered an extremely strong presentation, supported by live working examples of AI modelling and design software. The firm is clearly at the forefront of new design software development and the adoption of AI technologies to accelerate analysis and optioneering. The CORE* system is particularly impressive, and the firm's commitment to investing in this capability is likely to deliver significant long-term commercial advantages."

Finalists:

• Langan International, LLC
• Sisk

SME Consulting Firm of the Year

Winner:

• Informed Engineering

"Informed Engineering presented a strong and well-evidenced submission, underpinned by a clearly articulated strategy and a coherent growth narrative. The business demonstrates a high level of ambition, supported by a thoughtful and structured approach to expansion. Growth has been pursued proactively without compromising financial control or delivery quality, indicating a mature understanding of risk management. This is a confident organisation scaling deliberately, balancing opportunity with sustainability and long-term resilience."

Highly commended:

• Whitby Wood

Finalists:

• HBL Associates
• Jensen Hunt Design
• Paul Basham Associates
• Project Planning
• SRC Infrastructure
• Sutcliffe Projects
• TILT Engineering & Design
• Whitfield Consulting Services

Specialist Contractor of the Year

Winner:

• Kaymac Marine & Civil Engineering

"Kaymac Marine and Civil Engineering clearly demonstrated how it is delivering step change in performance through a passionate and charismatic submission and presentation. The judges extend their congratulations on this award and on the occasion of Kaymac's 50th anniversary in business this year."

Finalist:

• BridgeCare

Impact in Energy

Winner:

• Kelvin Power Consultancy

"Kelvin Power Consultancy has undergone significant growth over the past 18 months, and for an organisation of its size, its approach to apprenticeships and graduate development is genuinely commendable. The judges particularly valued its work with Manchester University to explore new construction methods, including the innovative use of weathered steel and graphene in concrete. It is especially noteworthy that these innovations have been incorporated into client handbooks, enabling wider adoption across the industry."

Highly commended:

• WSP

Finalists:

• Aecom
• Mott MacDonald
• Murphy
• Stantec
• Whitfield Consulting Services

Impact in Structures – Consultant

Winner:

• Cundall

"Cundall demonstrates a consistent focus and commitment to innovation across a variety of flagship projects, driving significant and sustained growth. Challenging requirements are addressed with an emphasis on simplicity and elegance of design, with carbon reduction at the heart of the strategy. Projects include 3 Chamberlain Square in Birmingham, the Busan Opera House in South Korea, and the Storm Coaster Project."

Highly commended:

• Davies Maguire

Finalists:

• AtkinsRéalis
• CSP - Consulting Civil & Structural Engineering Professionals
• HBL Associates
• Jensen Hunt Design
• Stantec
• Thornton Tomasetti

Impact in Structures – Contractor

Winner:

• Kilnbridge

"Kilnbridge delivered a fantastic presentation with genuine passion and enthusiasm. The range of projects and levels of innovation within them were highly commended, and the breadth of skills demonstrated by the team reflected their work across all sectors of the construction market. The company clearly values its people and puts them first. Clear growth across multiple markets, with innovation at its core, positions Kilnbridge to make a lasting positive impact on the construction sector and the wider supply chain."

Finalists:

• Expanded
• Ultrabeam

Impact in Transport – Consultant

Winner:

• Rubicon Wigzell

"Rubicon Wigzell delivered an excellent presentation with clear passion from both presenters. Their self-developed AI tools support an impressive breadth and depth of client and project relationships, and clear growth in staff, revenue, and project portfolio was demonstrated. They are also supporting the wider sector through the delivery of LEAN training — a small company making a significant impact."

Finalists:

• Amey
• AtkinsRéalis
• Bird & Bird LLP
• Project Planning

Impact in Transport – Contractor

Winner:

• NG Bailey

"NG Bailey impressed the judges through the role it plays in driving change across the industry, combining strong client relationships with innovation and growth embedded throughout its supply chain. Innovations implemented on the recent Manchester Airport project delivered substantial efficiency improvements with the potential for sector-wide benefits for clients and customers."

Finalist:

• Ultrabeam

Impact in Water and Environment – Consultant

Winner:

• Whitby Wood

"Whitby Wood demonstrates what 'better places' can look like in practice, not just in theory. Real, measurable growth is evidenced, backed by a clear commitment to creating positive, people-focused environments. The carbon tool is a standout achievement, and it is encouraging to see it gaining traction and delivering value across the sector. This is a people-focused organisation in the truest sense, and the promotion of its advisory board is a welcome and fitting development."

Highly commended:

• Moffatt & Nichol

Finalists:

• Allora Infrastructure
• AtkinsRéalis
• Stantec
• TILT Engineering & Design
• Waterco Datrys

Impact in Water and Environment – Contractor

Winner:

• Flood Technology Group

"Flood Technology Group was commended for its strong product innovation and thoughtful, strategic collaboration within the sector and beyond. The judges identified significant potential for wider applications across the industry and society. The organisation's proactive approach to engagement with regulatory bodies has created a strong foundation for future growth."

Finalists:

• Avove
• Bam
• Graham
• Kier Group
• Ultrabeam
• United Utilities Enterprise

Advisory Services Provider of the Year

Winner:

• WSP

"WSP wins this award for consistently delivering advisory services that go far beyond the brief. From embedding themselves within East Midlands Authority to developing an AI planning tool for Northumbrian Water — now being rolled out across the entire water sector — they have demonstrated deep client relationships and measurable outcomes. Their work reflects a genuine commitment to raising standards across the industry as a whole."

Finalists:

• Bird & Bird LLP
• CarmichaelUK
• CSP - Consulting Civil & Structural Engineering Professionals
• Ian Cheveau Marketing Consultancy
• Informed Engineering
• Keyline Civils Specialist
• Safety in Design

Product Solutions Provider of the Year

Winner:

• Hyperion Robotics

"Hyperion Robotics ticks all the boxes: innovative, collaborative, sustainable, and with proven benefits, including client testimonials demonstrating the conversion of initial sceptics. Exciting plans for standardised products, advances in low-carbon cement, and UK manufacturing further strengthen the case for this deserving winner."

Highly commended:

• Expanded

Finalists:

• Altrad RMD Kwikform
• Flood Technology Group
• GB Card & Partners
• M Group
• Prolectric Services
• RSP
• Selwood & Siltbuster, part of The Workdry Group
• Sustain8
• Ultrabeam

Software Solutions Provider of the Year

Winner:

• MukAway

"MukAway presented a deep understanding of the waste disposal challenges facing developers and civil engineering sites, from increasing regulatory costs and taxation to fuel, sustainability, and ESG pressures. Their industry transformation tool connects donor waste to receiver sites, enabling soil to move within a circular economy ecosystem at zero cost, with savings for all parties. It is a genuinely revolutionary approach that has the potential to reshape how the sector thinks about waste."

Highly commended:

• Sensat

Finalists:

• innDex
• Lattice Build Technology
• Method Grid
• MSite
• Shape Construction
• Stantec
• Sustain8
• Transcend Software
• XER Schedule Toolkit