Client of the year

Winner

It is also one of the co-developers of Stratford City in east London, which will not only provide athletes’ accommodation for the 2012 Olympic Games but provide 34,000 additional jobs in the area.

On its website Stanhope states that it “produces buildings faster and more economically than industry standards”. This is no empty boast, as it is constantly looking to innovate with its supply chain partners.

One recent example is that Stanhope is the only developer involved in logistics specialist Wilson James and Transport for London’s project to reduce carbon emissions and congestion in the capital. This involves material suppliers delivering their loads to a consolidation centre rather than struggling into central London. Then, freight vehicles can deliver products to a number of sites ensuring they are always full. Like others in the industry, Stanhope had recognised that too often a site only needs a limited amount of one product, resulting in half-empty vehicles blocking up the roads – but unlike many it took steps to improve the situation.

Similarly, Stanhope has not only realised there is a need to improve education and training in the construction sector, it has done something about it. As one of the co-sponsors of a new construction degree, the MSc at the Bartlett School, University College London, it has ensured that supply chain management is one of the degree’s key courses.

Stanhope’s performance has even been noticed at government level. In a landmark National Audit Office report last year, it was singled out as a model of best practice for all construction clients. It stated the public sector had much to learn from the developer. Clearly many specialists would agree.

Stanhope is one of the developers on the £4bn Stratford City project in east London, one of the country’s largest regeneration schemes