QS News Awards 2006

Best All-Round Firm

DBK Back

This Birmingham-based firm is seeing the benefits of a management buyout last August – turnover is already up 30%. The company has an impressive all-round service and recently entered the utility market with a new division offering management consultancy launched this autumn called DBK Connect.

Faithful+Gould

The firm has undergone a transformation in the last five years, offering a better and more complete service, expanding internationally and changing the make-up of its workforce. Turnover is increasing steadily and the quality of the projects the company is involved with, from the memorial Tower in New York’s Ground Zero district to the Palestra office building in London, is unarguable.

Franklin + Andrews

It’s been quite a year for Franklin + Andrews. The firm’s largely hidden work for the London bid for the 2012 Olympics proved a key factor in its success. Other projects include the East London Line, which this year got the go-ahead and will be a key part of the infrastructure needed in the run-up to 2012.

Turner & Townsend

The rise of Turner & Townsend as a major player in the UK and global QS and PM market this decade continues to impress. The firm offers a service offering across virtually all market sectors, while retaining a reputation for offering quality service to clients.

sponsored by:

BCIS is delighted to sponsor the QS News award for Best All-Round firm. BCIS has expanded its range of services and products over the years to reflect the wider range of services that are provided to clients by QS firms. QSs now use BCIS cost information to help meet client business needs such as project and construction management, value engineering, whole life and FM services. We look forward to seeing who will be the winner in this category.

QS Employer of the Year

Bucknall Austin

Bucknall Austin appears to have nurtured a real people culture within the organisation. One-third of employees are now shareholders, and the company is investing significantly in the training and development of its staff.

Durnien.com

Durnien achieved Investors in People status this summer and has now designed detailed training and development programmes for staff. There are also regular satisfaction reviews as well as a range of incentives to retain employees.

Faithful+Gould

Keeping a workforce of 2,000 happy is a major challenge, and Faithful+Gould appears to be meeting it. On top of staff satisfaction surveys and on-going training commitments, F+G is now offering stress risk assessments and has launched a counselling service for staff to deal with personal or professional problems.

sponsored by:

Awarded fifth ‘Best Small Company’ to work for by the Sunday Times, Judd Farris is proud to be the Sponsor of the ‘Employer of the Year Award’.

“We are keen to demonstrate our support of the property and construction industry as an Industry of Choice,” comments director Samantha Hogan.

“We believe any organisation’s most important asset is its employees. In the increasingly competitive property market, it is invaluable that employers recognise the combination of factors that will determine them as an Employer of Choice.

“With offices throughout the UK, as well as Australasia, Judd Farris offers a variety of flexible solutions to match our client and candidates’ requirements. We have an extensive database and network of clients and candidates that allow us to provide you with the best opportunities and the right solutions in the market place at any time.”

Best In-House Team

Staffordshire County Council/ Thomas Vale

A ground-breaking joint venture between client and contractor which started three years ago is now showing the benefits of working to break the traditional moulds of construction procurements. This year, the team has focused on dealing with the sustainability challenge as well as improving IT.

Bridgeford Interiors

This Midlands-based interiors contractor works across a range of sectors and clients and demands high standards from its in-house team. The four-strong commercial department works from cost management through to final accounts and sub-contract orders.

Shepherd Construction

Shepherd Construction has been working hard on providing a more efficient and innovative service, from developing a standard library for bill of quantities production to developing its own whole life costing document.

sponsored by:

Sponsoring the Best In-House QS Team Award allows TH Associates to demonstrate its ongoing support of the commercial construction sector. Our success as a recruitment company is a direct result of our consultants’ ability to work together as a team within a multi-disciplined environment. The opportunity to support the Best In-House QS Team category enables us to applaud the importance of team work adopted by effective organisations in construction.

TH Associates are specialists in recruitment services for the construction, property and engineering sectors. Operating from two regional offices we deliver a friendly, professional bespoke service.

Employing industry experienced consultants we work closely with our customers to understand their needs and meet them. We are committed to building long-term relationships with our customers. Good luck to the finalists of the Best In-House QS Team.