Consultancy of the Year

Sponsored by CIBSE

Winner

Red Engineering Design

At just three years old, Red is already a market leader in sustainable design. It has forged a successful business model which has been experienced in the offices of clients such as JP Morgan, InterContinental Hotels and J Sainsbury.

The firm has grown from a staff of five at start-up to 75, and engendered loyalty that has resulted in just two employees leaving. It has operations on three continents – based in London, Dubai and Manila – and is recognised as an authority in making low-carbon, sustainable M&E design commercially viable.

The judges said Red had demonstrated a sustained and impressive business performance that had translated into remarkable growth.

Runners-up

Beattie Flanigan (highly commended)

The judges agreed that Beattie Flanigan had consistently achieved excellence. In 2007 the firm secured a £40m healthcare framework contract and grew staff levels by 25%. Turnover more than doubled, and is looking likely to double again this year. The number of repeat client contracts was up 75% last year, on the back of a close relationship with clients which helps to deliver projects on time and within budgets.

CBG Consultants

Since its management buyout in 2005, CBG has built success on the back of adopting dynamic thermal modelling. The fusion of science and innovation has resulted in unique designs which have helped to cut clients’ energy consumption and carbon footprints. CBG is on its way to becoming a major UK consultant.

King Shaw Associates

The company has notched up some high-profile clients in the past year including the British Museum, the British Library, and the Royal Albert Hall. Its focus on sustainable buildings has seen it secure the contract for the new United Nations headquarters in Montenegro, which looks set to be the first carbon-neutral building in southeast Europe.

Maleon

Maleon increased turnover and profitability by more than 25% in the past year, and invested in making its offices a more productive place to work. An integrated business management system has improved the pitching and charging process while the restructuring of the management team into services engineering, planning and development, energy and sustainability, critical building resilience, and management services has given the strategy clearer focus.

RHB Partnership

RHB has a history of working closely with clients and contractors to deliver projects to high specifications. The firm is involved in a number of schemes aimed at reducing carbon emissions involving technologies including ground source heat pumps, biomass boilers, photovoltaics, combined heat and power systems and rainwater harvesting.