A glowing recommendation from clients, solid financials and stand-out project the City of Westminster College helped McLaren Construction to scoop the title

Contractor of the year,

Sponsored by Austin-Smith:Lord

McLaren Construction Group
The judges were blown away by the standard of McLaren’s submission for this awards and by the firm’s impressive list of projects over the last 12 months. The City of Westminster College was a real highlight. McLaren sourced new flooring products from Germany for this scheme, avoiding costly maintenance repairs and enabling efficiencies in programme achievement. Then there is the fact that the contractor has enjoyed a record year with a 17.5% increase in turnover to £153m and a 16% rise in profit to £3.3m. The group demonstrates dedication to partnering and establishing long-term agreements with clients and has completed 24 projects for major developer Land Securities and 15 for British Land. And it wasn’t just the judges who thought McLaren was a worthy winner of this award. One client said: “I have no hesitation in recommending McLaren for this award. They are an excellent contractor in all respects. Nothing was too much trouble.”

Runners-up

Dawnus Construction
Dawnus has braved the downturn with an outstanding year of growth, increasing turnover, almost doubling the number of regional offices, securing its first overseas project - in Sierra Leone - and achieving two BREEAM “excellent” ratings.

Hill Partnerships
Hill’s clients say it all: “No praise would be too high for the hard work Hill has contributed.” Solid financials back up this acclaim, with its largest ever forward order book and increased contract values - both up 35%.

Lakehouse
Last year’s winner impressed judges again with significant project wins, as well as increasing turnover by 51% and profit by 37% in 2010, which has allowed the company to grow its workforce by 22%.

Shaylor Group
Flagged up as “one to watch” in the Sunday Times’ Best Companies list, Shaylor is living up to expectations with the launch of a repair and maintenance operation that has completed 36 projects worth more than £1m.