Building Awards 2024 shortlists: Construction Client of the Year

Earlier this year Building announced all the firms who made it on to the shortlists for our prestigious annual Building Awards.

Now we are shining the spotlight on each category in turn and publishing a selection of the images that impressed the judges.

Today’s shortlist is for Construction Client of the Year, sponsored by RLB.

British Land

British Land has had a standout year across the past 12 months, with highlights including its exceptional project delivery of Norton Folgate. This £225m office-led development in Spitalfields, London, showcases British Land’s commitment to preserving heritage while creating modern, sustainable spaces. The company’s pipeline includes 2.3 million ft² of completed and committed developments for 2023/24, with a forward pipeline of 8.7 million ft². British Land has shifted towards refurbishing existing buildings, driven by sustainability goals. The company’s approach to supply chain collaboration and sustainability resulted in Norton Folgate achieving BREEAM Excellent and saving over 1,000 tonnes of CO2. British Land maintains a zero-tolerance health and safety standard, achieving an exceptional safety record on Norton Folgate.

Bruntwood SciTech

Bruntwood SciTech, a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, has had a stellar year, with its performance leading to a secured 3.6 million ft² delivery pipeline and a £1.5bn portfolio. The company aims to grow a £5bn UK-wide portfolio by 2032, focusing on science and technology campuses in major cities. Despite challenging market conditions, the company remains confident in its products and sectors, continuing to invest in campuses and cities to support high-growth businesses. Bruntwood SciTech, which works in strategic partnerships with city councils, universities and NHS trusts, has shifted towards two-stage bid and tender processes and is exploring new procurement methods to promote long-term relationships with tier-one and tier-two contractors.

Enfield Council

Enfield Council has demonstrated exceptional commitment to housing projects, residents and community enrichment. The council is investing £1bn over the next decade, with £700m already committed to the Joyce and Snell’s Estate regeneration. Enfield Council prioritises safety and quality, bearing additional costs for building safety measures. The council actively involves itself in design and procurement processes, engaging key stakeholders in developing employer’s requirements. It values long-term partnerships and has entered into development agreements and joint ventures to secure a large number of homes. The council’s focus on sustainability is evident in its connection of projects to district heating networks and targeting EPC B ratings for new homes.

Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is demonstrating strong commitment to modernising the UK’s prison infrastructure, with plans to invest around £4.5bn in contracts over the next 12 months. Its ambitious programme aims to create capacity for 18,000 prisoners by 2025, focusing on sustainable and innovative design. The MoJ has established The Alliance 4 New Prisons, a collaborative partnership with major contractors ISG, Kier, Laing O’Rourke and Wates, to deliver most of these projects. This approach emphasises efficiency and knowledge-sharing. The MoJ prioritises MMC and carbon reduction in its projects, pushing for advancements in the sector. Their procurement strategy balances the need for large-scale delivery with opportunities for smaller contractors through a dedicated framework for projects under £30m.

Quadrum Global

Quadrum Global’s stellar year has been encapsulated by the completion of its flagship £135m redevelopment of 11 Belgrave Road in Victoria, London. The project transformed a 1950s building into a 150,000ft² grade A net zero and wellbeing-focused workplace. The development incorporates innovative features such as openable windows, extensive greenery and a rooftop platform. The client’s commitment to sustainability was highlighted in this project, which achieved a NABERS UK 5.5-star target rating and BREEAM Outstanding pre-certification. Quadrum’s approach to construction delivery involved meticulous contractor selection and close collaboration with the supply chain. The company focused on embedding sustainability throughout the project, achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions and waste.

Stanhope

Stanhope boasts a construction pipeline valued at over £6bn, comprising around 12 million ft² of office space and 1,000 residential units. The firm employs a hybrid development model, working both independently and as a development manager with long-term partners. Stanhope often takes a construction management approach to procurement, with the flexibility to adapt to fixed-price solutions when appropriate, and prioritises contractors that are comfortable with complexity and capable of collaboration. Amid challenging market conditions, Stanhope relies on expertise from partners and long-term relationships to inform procurement and delivery strategies, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of economic pressures. The firm’s innovative approach extends to sustainable design and urban regeneration, enhancing communities across the UK.

Transport for Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has demonstrated innovative urban development with a £1bn pipeline of sustainable transport interventions emphasising its commitment to urban regeneration. TfGM’s approach to funding and development showcases a true public-private market partnership. A particular highlight is its £140m Stockport Interchange project. This state-of-the-art transport hub combines public transport, new homes and green space, delivered on time and to budget. A strong commitment to sustainability is evident in the project’s design, which reduced concrete usage by 2,775 tonnes and eliminated embodied carbon equivalent to over 25 years of operational energy consumption. TfGM’s focus on social value is demonstrated through the creation of 175 new jobs and over 850 weeks of apprenticeship and training opportunities.